Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The large-scale and very strong Typhoon No. 8 is expected to intensify to tremendous force and approach Okinawa on the 8th. The people are advised to stay on high alert for strong winds, heavy rainfall, tidal waves, and other adverse weather conditions. In Okinawa Prefecture in particular, an Emergency Warning may be issued this evening, and residents are advised to exercise an appropriate level of caution. At this point in time, there is no information about any damages. The Government has been responding as follows. Since Friday, the 4th, we have been reinforcing our information-gathering arrangements. In addition, from 9 am today (7th), a disaster warning meeting among relevant ministries and agencies was held with the attendance of Minister of State for Disaster Management Furuya. Furthermore, at 10:45 am, an Information Liaison Office was established within the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister’s Office. Minister Furuya has cancelled his overseas visit scheduled from tomorrow. The Government as a whole has taken all possible precautions. Relevant ministries and agencies will continue to work closely and take appropriate responses. The people are advised to stay fully abreast of the latest weather and typhoon information. People in areas where rainstorms are forecasted are advised to stay on high alert for strong winds, high waves, tidal waves, and heavy rainfall. Please be mindful of evacuating and beginning preparations for evacuation at an early time. Should your municipality issue an evacuation advisory or evacuation order, please evacuate swiftly. If it is dangerous to go outside, please stay in the safety of your homes.

Q&As

• The bills related to the right of collective self-defense
• The 20th anniversary of the death of President Kim Il-sung of North Korea

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding bills related to the right of collective self-defense. Yesterday, with regard to the development of legislation, the Prime Minister indicated his intention to deliberate the bills collectively during next year’s ordinary session of the Diet. If I may confirm, is it correct to understand that the Government intends to submit a package of relevant bills to next year’s ordinary session of the Diet? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government’s basic orientation on how to ensure security in Japan was approved as a Cabinet decision, which was the outcome of the thorough discussions conducted among the ruling parties amid the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan. In accordance with this basic orientation, and as the Prime Minister stated over the weekend, the Government will work to develop a package of a broad range of legislation ranging from those dealing with “gray zone” situations to the right of collective self-defense. We will do so by conducting extensive discussions that will be open to the public in the course of approximately one year. 

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question is about public opinion polls. In the JNN public opinion poll conducted over the weekend, the administration’s approval rating decreased by 10.9% from the previous month to 52.4%, the lowest ever recorded since the inauguration of the second Abe administration. Also, the percentage of respondents who disapproved of the Cabinet decision that authorized the exercise of the right of collective self-defense was 57%, which appears to be significantly higher than the percentage of respondents who supported the Cabinet decision. I believe similar results have been found in the public opinion polls conducted by other companies. What are your thoughts regarding this? This is my first question.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, there were also public opinion polls in which the percentage increased. With public opinion polls, higher is better than lower, and this time the percentage decreased. That said, we are grateful that we have the understanding of over 50% of the people. With regard to the development of legislation related to the right of collective self-defense, we have the understanding of 60% of the people, including those who support the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense. However, I suspect that there are a great many people who are under the impression that we are able to immediately exercise such rights now that the Government’s basic orientation was approved as a Cabinet decision. Nevertheless, as Japan is a nation ruled by law, nothing can be done at all without revising the relevant legislation, including the Self-Defense Forces Act, at the Diet. Therefore, we will give sufficient time to deliberating the bills at the Diet in front of the people for the development of all legislation. Through this process we hope to further deepen people’s understanding.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question in connection with our public opinion poll. While the absolute values are different across different companies’ public opinion polls, it can be said that on the whole the approval rating was the lowest ever recorded. Based on this trend, do you perceive that the administration is facing its greatest challenge now since its inauguration? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think so. It is indeed the case that we, as the Government, are responsible for the security of the people, their peaceful livelihood, and the security of the nation. We are of the view that the Government should not base its activities on whether or not its approval rating would go down. We will steadily proceed with the necessary actions one by one. It is up to the people to make a judgment on the results of our actions.

(Abridged) 

REPORTER: I would like to return to the earlier topic regarding the development of legislation related to security. Is it correct to understand that there is no change to the timing of the revision of the revised Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is something that Japan and the United States have committed to. Therefore, in principle, I do not expect it will be change.

REPORTER: Is it possible that the content of the Guidelines would be affected by the fact that domestic legislation will not be developed until next year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not sure if this necessarily pertains to the Guidelines per se, but we believe that as we engage in negotiations with the United States, we have the advantage of being able to reflect the content of the discussions in the development of legislation.

REPORTER: Tomorrow will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of President Kim Il-sung of North Korea. I understand that a commemorative ceremony and other events will be held in Pyongyang. Are there any signs of a missile launch or other such security provocations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of any such matters. In any case, Japan is always taking all possible measures to maintain the security of our people. 

REPORTER: On a related note, I understand that House of Councillors member Antonio Inoki and others are holding a press conference this afternoon concerning a possible visit to Pyongyang, North Korea. Given all the progress that has been made, what is your opinion regarding the timing of such a visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, as part of Japan’s lifting of restrictions on visits of persons between Japan and North Korea, the Government will cease requesting the Japanese people to voluntarily refrain from visiting North Korea from Japan. As such, the Government will not be taking any special measures with regard to visits to North Korea from Japan, which is a departure from past policy. I understand that a delegation that includes House of Councillors member Inoki will be visiting North Korea with its own particular purpose. The Government will monitor the situation to ensure that North Korea steadily advances the investigations of the Special Investigation Committee in accordance with the recent Japan-North Korea agreement. 

(Abridged)