The government Thursday moved to contain potential political damage from a remark made by a new Cabinet minister the previous day that could be taken as condoning bullying.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda indirectly admonished the press, suggesting that new State Minister Takashi Sasagawa's comments were misinterpreted and reported unfairly.

"I talked with Mr. Sasagawa on the phone. He emphasized that he did not mean that bullying should be tolerated, and I accepted (the explanation)," the top government spokesman told a press conference.

"Although comments that leave room for misunderstanding should not be made, we also hope you will listen to remarks more carefully," Fukuda told reporters.

Sasagawa said Wednesday: "I do not mean we should tolerate (bullying), but a world without bullying is impossible. We can replace the notion of bullying with competition. If you win in a competition, maybe you will not be bullied."

Sasagawa was appointed state minister Tuesday in the a Cabinet reshuffle ahead of the major regrouping of government ministries in January. It is his first stint in the Cabinet.

Sasagawa will be in charge of the Council for Science and Technology Policy, an entity to be created when the reforms take effect.