Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saito is currently visiting Mongolia, which is a country that has diplomatic relations with North Korea. Could you tell us of the aims of the visit to Mongolia by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, including with regard to the situation in North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that a press briefing sheet on this subject has already been issued. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Mongolia, and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saito's visit to Mongolia at the beginning of the year is being made with the aim of further contributing to the construction of a strategic partnership between Japan and Mongolia, which is a shared diplomatic objective of the two countries. As of yesterday the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary had met with the President and Prime Minister of Mongolia and others, as is detailed in his schedule, and I understand there are the purpose and aims of the visit.

(Abridged)