The administration has decided to allow bureaucrats to hold news conferences in principle, reversing a decision made less than a week ago to prohibit them, Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers said Monday.
While administrative vice ministers will still be banned from holding regular news conferences, where these top bureaucrats have tended to make "political remarks," they will be allowed to meet the media if they receive approval from their ministers. Other bureaucrats will be permitted to brief reporters on facts about issues they are in charge of, such as accidents and diplomatic negotiations.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Wednesday the government would ban administrative vice ministers from holding their own news conferences. The announcement was aimed at demonstrating Cabinet ministers' primacy, a key aim of the Democratic Party of Japan.
As a result, meetings with the media planned by top ministry bureaucrats for last Thursday, including one by the ambassador to the U.S., were canceled, prompting media outlets to complain.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Friday administrative vice ministers should not hold news conferences on a regular basis but can "express their views which will help protect the people's lives and assets."