Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on the overview of the Cabinet meeting and the ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, and others.)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono will be holding a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who arrived in Japan today. What outcomes does the Government expect from this meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, Foreign Minister Kono will hold a Japan-ROK foreign ministers’ meeting with the ROK Foreign Minister. She is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abe. At this meeting and courtesy call, I believe exchanges of views are to take place regarding the Japan-ROK relationship and the North Korean issues. As the meeting has not been held yet, I would like to refrain from responding about its content based on conjecture.

REPORTER: At the meeting, it is anticipated that Foreign Minister Kang would explain about the ROK’s work to review the Japan-ROK agreement. Can you once again explain the position of the Government of Japan regarding the Japan-ROK agreement, and what requests the Government will make to the ROK in regard to this review work?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated repeatedly, Japan and the ROK confirmed in the agreement reached in late 2015 that the issue of comfort women is resolved finally and irreversibly , and this agreement is highly valued by the international community. The Government will persistently request the ROK for its steady implementation of the agreement.

(Abridged)