Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: While it is the case that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and members of other opposition parties are making various moves, press organizations in the Republic of Korea (ROK) are reporting that the "comfort women" issue is likely to be raised in the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting. What response will the Japanese Government be making if this is the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: What you have just mentioned are press reports, whereas in actual fact the content for the Summit Meeting is currently being finalized between the two governments.

REPORTER: On a related note, a press spokesperson for the ROK has made clear that the "comfort women" issue will be raised for discussion at the Japan-ROK Summit. Therefore, if the ROK Government has made such a proposal, I believe that it will become an agenda item. What will the Japanese Government's response be?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have just said, the content of the Summit Meeting is currently being finalized through diplomatic channels and as far as I am aware, the ROK Government has not made a proposal for this issue to be tabled in the course of this diplomatic process, although it may have been mentioned by the ROK press spokesperson.