Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-Russia Summit Meeting
• Historical issues including visits to Yasukuni Shrine
• Comments made by Governor of Tokyo in relation to Tokyo's bid for the Olympics
• The ceremony on the Day of Japan's Restoration of Sovereignty
• The Prime Minister's Official Residence

REPORTER: I would like to ask about the Japan-Russia summit meeting. Yesterday, a joint statement was issued upon the meeting between Prime Minister Abe and President Putin. First of all, what is your overall assessment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The objectives of the Russia visit were to build a relationship based on personal trust between President Putin and Prime Minister Abe, to set out a long-term vision for Japan-Russia relations, and to restart negotiations on the Northern Territories. The summit meeting was held with these three items as the central themes. In the end, I believe the meeting was able to achieve these objectives. This was the first official visit to Russia by a Japanese Prime Minister in a decade. I believe the two leaders were able to set out a concrete vision for Japan-Russia cooperation by adopting the Joint Statement on the Development of Japan-Russia Partnership. In addition, with regard to the negotiations for the conclusion of a peace treaty, the leaders shared the view that it was extraordinary that a peace treaty has not been concluded between Japan and Russia after 67 years since the end of World War II. In this context, the leaders agreed to jointly instruct their foreign ministries to accelerate the negotiations for creating solutions which both sides will find acceptable. The leaders also agreed to restart and accelerate the negotiations, which have been stalled over the last several years. Furthermore, with respect to security, the leaders agreed to launch a 2+2 foreign and defense ministerial meeting. In the economic realm, the leaders agreed to cooperate on the development of the Far East and Siberia regions and to hold public-private consultations to jointly design a blueprint of the regions' future. Also, the Prime Minister was accompanied by a powerful business mission. My conviction is that the latest summit meeting will lend new momentum and a long-term vision to the development of Japan-Russia relations going forward.

REPORTER: Regarding the agreement to restart negotiations on the territorial issue, some point out that it is hard to foresee how the negotiations will turn out. How does the Government intend to address this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister too stated during the meeting that there was no magic wand. As this is a difficult issue which has remained unresolved for more than 67 years after the end of the war, naturally it is to be expected that an instant resolution will not be easy to come by. Nonetheless, at the meeting, the two leaders agreed to restart and accelerate the negotiations. I believe a framework was able to be established to make persistent efforts towards the goal of concluding a peace treaty by resolving the issue of the attribution of the four northern islands, all the while striving to develop the overall bilateral relations, including economic relations.

REPORTER: In the joint statement, it is stated, as you noted a moment ago, that the leaders will instruct their foreign ministries to re-accelerate negotiations for establishing proposals which both sides will find acceptable. Moving forward, what kind of consultations among what level of foreign ministry officials will be conducted under what kind of time schedule? Can you explain about the blueprint?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this was the agreement reached between the two leaders, negotiations will be accelerated to that end. It was agreed that negotiations will be held among the representatives of the respective ministries and agencies at the vice-ministerial level. An all-out effort will be made to start the negotiations.

REPORTER: And the schedule?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe they will start soon after the Japanese delegation returns to Japan and preparations are made.

REPORTER: Regarding the acceleration of negotiations, I believe the negotiations will be based on the relationship of personal trust between President Putin and Prime Minister Abe. However, President Putin's term of office is until 2018, while Prime Minister Abe's term of office is until 2015. In this context, what is the time span for the negotiations that you have in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this has just started, I think it is difficult to say exactly by when. However, the two leaders have pledged to accelerate negotiations towards reaching an agreement, and I believe in this context an accelerated vision will emerge.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding Prime Minister Abe's historical perception. The U.S. media, including the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, that had until now portrayed Prime Minister Abe in a positive light has criticized the Prime Minister in their editorials and articles. In particular, the Washington Post's editorial has used quite a strong tone in criticizing that Prime Minister Abe's statements may put at risk the progress he has made in his economic policy. Can you please share your assessment of, or thoughts, regarding the U.S. media's criticisms of Prime Minister Abe's statements relating to his historical perception?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that such editorials have been published. As I have made clear a number of times at these press conferences regarding the historical perception of the Abe administration, the Abe administration and the Abe Cabinet share the belief that Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. Furthermore, as Japan's neighboring countries, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China, are important countries to Japan, it remains entirely unchanged that Japan will make further efforts to strengthen its relations with these countries and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region. We have been explaining our views as such to the foreign media, and we will continue to provide explanations so that Japan's intent is conveyed in order to obtain understanding.

REPORTER: Chief Cabinet Secretary, in that case, your understanding then is that the Japanese Government's intent or view has not yet been accurately conveyed to the U.S. media?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is my belief based on the articles which have been published. Therefore, the Japanese Government will convey the intent I have just spoken of and provide explanations.

REPORTER: Related to this, if you don't mind, I would like to ask a question that overlaps with a question I have asked you previously. Following the example of the Murayama Cabinet, past Cabinets have used the word "aggression." Therefore, my understanding had been that the Government acknowledges Japan's aggression as a fact. However, in recent statements made by Mr. Abe, he has responded that there is room to discuss "aggression," entirely leaving aside the question of whether "aggression" was good or bad. Entirely leaving aside assessment of history, does the Abe Cabinet intend to continue to use the word "aggression" or comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not want to cause any misunderstanding about this, but I would like to explain this issue one more time. As I have stated here before, during a certain period leading up to World War II, Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. To date, the Japanese Government has regarded, in a spirit of humility, these facts of history, and has expressed its feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology. It has also expressed its feelings of profound mourning for all victims, both at home and abroad, of that war. The Abe administration shares this recognition. Japan's neighboring countries, including the ROK and China, are Japan's indispensable partners. It remains unchanged that Japan will develop closer ties with these countries and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region. Statements made by past prime ministers express the opinion of the Cabinet at that time of the historical milestone. From this perspective, the Abe Cabinet would like to issue a future-oriented statement appropriate for the 21st century on the occasion of the milestone.

REPORTER: I very much understand this. In short, my question is whether or not the word "aggression" will be included or not included in the statement, whether or not the Abe Cabinet will comment or not comment on "aggression." Will Cabinets only comment on this every ten years? Entirely leaving aside historical perception - as I too believe there are a variety of opinions - leaving aside any assessment of "aggression," can you please comment on whether or not the Abe Cabinet recognizes the word "aggression"?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, I believe past Cabinets, the Prime Minister, or the Government should refrain from making any remarks about the understanding of these historical facts. We the Government's basic view is that we do not wish for this issue of historical perception to turn into a diplomatic or political issue. I would like to refrain from making any further comments.

REPORTER: Regarding Governor Inose of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), the comments he has made during his interview with the New York Times about Istanbul, Turkey, a candidate city (for the 2020 Olympics), have come under widespread controversy including his statement that, "Islamic countries, the only thing they share in common is Allah and they are fighting with each other, and they have classes." What is the view of the Government of Japan, as the country aiming to host the Olympics, regarding the fact that these statements have been reported?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the statements you mentioned have been reported. However, I am not aware of the details as to what Governor Inose said specifically. Yesterday, the Governor himself issued a statement saying that he had absolutely no intention of criticizing another candidate city, that it was very regrettable that an article was published which deviates from the context of the interview, and that he will continue to engage in bidding activities by complying with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules and respecting the bidding activities of other cities. The Governor has made this statement, and in any case, we believe it is natural that bidding activities are carried out in accordance with the Olympic Charter and IOC Code of Ethics and by respecting the other candidate cities. We have been taking, and we will continue to take, steps based on this line of thinking.

REPORTER: While this incident has not led to any finger-pointing, it has nevertheless prompted the IOC to issue a warning. What effect do you think this incident will have on Japan's bidding activities and the selection of the Olympic venue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: According to the statement that the Governor released, which I have just noted, the Governor had absolutely no intent of criticizing another candidate city. If the IOC makes any requests, I believe that the Governor and TMG will naturally handle them in an appropriate manner. Once the intent of the Governor's statements is confirmed, I believe the statements will not pose a problem.

REPORTER: My question concerns the ceremony on the Day of Japan's Restoration of Sovereignty. At the end of the ceremony, some participants shouted, "Tenno Heika Banzai (Long Live the Emperor)," and "banzai" was shouted three times. Some people have questioned whether this conduct was appropriate given the fact that this was a ceremony to commemorate that sovereignty rests with the people. What are your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Allow me to first give you a rundown of what went on. At that part of the ceremony, I myself delivered the closing remarks, and the ceremony was adjourned. Afterwards, when Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress were leaving their seats, some participants shouted "banzai" three times. This has not been part of any Government ceremony, and we too had not expected this at all. I believe those participants did this instinctively. For this reason, I believe the Government should not make any comments regarding this.

REPORTER: On this same topic of the ceremony, when "banzai" was shouted three times, some ministers were seen throwing their hands up into the air or jointly shouting "banzai" three times. What is your assessment of that? Or can you tell us whether anything had been discussed with these ministers about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This was completely unexpected and was not discussed with them. I had thought that the whole ceremony ended with my closing remarks.

REPORTER: On the 28th of this month, two days ago, I believe Minister Inada visited Yasukuni Shrine. Can you verify the facts? Also, can you tell us if the Minister had notified you in advance that he was going?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was not informed in advance by Minister Inada about when he would be going. I believe ministers visit Yasukuni Shrine in their private capacities. At the same time, I believe it is natural for any country to express its respects to those who gave up their lives for the country. Simultaneously, the ROK and China are Japan's important neighboring countries. Japan does not wish at all for the issue of Yasukuni visits to impact the overall bilateral relations with these countries. Japan's policy remains unchanged that it will strengthen its relations with these countries from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: I believe it was yesterday that the National Assembly of the ROK issued a resolution condemning Japan with respect to this Yasukuni issue and the issue of Japan's historical perception. What are the Japanese Government's thoughts or opinions regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our opinion, as I have just stated, is that it is natural for any country to express its respects to those who gave up their lives for the country. We do not wish at all for these issues to impact the overall bilateral relations, and it remains unchanged that we will continue to strengthen our relations with neighboring countries, including the ROK, from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: What do you think about the fact that these feelings of the Government have not gotten across to the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will explain Japan's intent through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Prime Minister's move-in date to the Official Residence. Ever since the Prime Minister took office, he was been commuting from his private residence to the Official Residence. He has been setting new records for the longest length of time that a Prime Minister has not moved into the Official Residence. Some opine that the Prime Minister should move in to the Official Residence at an early date for crisis management reasons. What are your views, Chief Cabinet Secretary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: My position is that I would like for the Prime Minister to engage in his work in an environment that is most suitable for working. In this context, the Prime Minister often utilizes the Official Residence as you have seen in newspaper reports. Under these circumstances, I believe it is up to the Prime Minister to make this decision.