Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: My question concerns Okinawa and a personnel matter pertaining to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Starting from today, Mr. Susumu Matayoshi, formerly the Director General of the Executive Office of former Governor Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture, has been appointed as a Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Could you please share your expectations regarding his role and other such matters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On April 1, MOFA appointed Mr. Susumu Matayoshi, former Director General of the Executive Office of the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, as a Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. For many years, Mr. Matayoshi was engaged in work at the Okinawa Prefectural Office concerning the various issues related to the US bases in Okinawa. Furthermore, Mr. Matayoshi possesses a wealth of experience and expertise in regard to working together with the US forces in Okinawa in fields such as international exchange and disaster risk reduction. My understanding is that Mr. Matayoshi has been appointed to provide advice at MOFA on how to more effectively promote activities in the aforementioned fields.

(Abridged)