Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• Personal decisions regarding senior vice-ministers and parliamentary secretaries

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have one topic I would like to speak on. We just held an extraordinary Cabinet meeting and I would like to speak on personnel decisions regarding senior vice-ministers and parliamentary secretaries. Personnel decisions regarding senior vice-ministers and parliamentary secretaries, as outlined in the list that has been distributed to you all, were made at the extraordinary Cabinet meeting held earlier. An attestation ceremony for senior vice-ministers is scheduled to take place from 4:30 pm, with the first meeting of senior vice-ministers to be held from 7:20 pm. Delivery of the letters of appointment to parliamentary secretaries is scheduled to commence at 8:20 pm and the first meeting of parliamentary secretaries is scheduled to begin at 8:35 pm.

Q&As

• The military base issue in Okinawa
• The Kono Statement
• Japan-China relations (the Senkaku Islands)
• Consideration on establishing a Japanese equivalent of the NSC
• Japan-ROK relations

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the military base issue in Okinawa. I believe that Governor Nakaima, among others, will be paying a visit. Could you share with us how the Abe Government would like to address issues such as the issues surrounding the Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, a problem that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration was often inconsistent in their policies,  in order to restore relationships of trust?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The LDP has always actively supported Governor Nakaima from the outset and I believe that the Government and Mr. Nakaima have a trusting relationship. However, the Abe Government has only just returned to office, therefore we would like to address the military base issue after once again identifying the facts of the situation. Today is first time we will meet the Governor as the new Cabinet.

REPORTER: May I clarify something? Does that mean the Government is planning to, or seeking to, have the air station relocated to Henoko during the Abe Cabinet's term in office?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This concerns agreements between Japan and the U.S.; therefore, moving forward, we would like to make efforts so as to gain the support and understanding of the people in Okinawa.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: During this morning's press conference you stated that considering that the Kono Statement is currently being studied by academics and historians, it is desirable that such studies are continued. Am I right to understand your comment to mean that the Government plans to establish some form of meeting of experts within the Prime Minister's Office to commence discussions that may include revisions to the statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am glad that you raised this. It has been reported that during my press conference this morning I said "discussions with the possibility of a partial revision." However I would like to first establish that I did not make any comments that referred to discussions with the possibility of revision during my press conference, as everyone who was in attendance would know. I would like to repeat what I did say. I said that the Abe Cabinet does not intend to turn this into a political or diplomatic issue. I would also like to add that a Cabinet decision was made in relation to this during the first Abe Cabinet. In light of this, this issue has been studied from various aspects by historians, both in Japan and overseas, as well as by experts. I believe that it is desirable that further consideration is taken from an academic perspective. This is the meaning that I was trying to convey. Going back to your original question, considering that the Kono Statement is a Chief Cabinet Secretary Statement, I believe that this is not about whether an experts' meeting should be formed under the leadership of myself, rather, I understand that since a number of studies are currently taking place, listening to the opinions of those conducting the studies is one possible course of action. As Chief Cabinet Secretary I am keen to listen to the opinions of various people. Therefore, this is not about forming an experts' meeting, but rather I believe that as Chief Cabinet Secretary, listening to those opinions is one possible course of action.

REPORTER: Will the Abe Cabinet follow the Kono Statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our position is as I just said. Rather than being about whether we follow the statement or not, we believe that this issue should not be treated as a political or diplomatic issue. Considering the prior Cabinet decision made by Abe Cabinet on this issue, our basic understanding is that it is desirable for studies by academics and historians, both Japanese and foreign, to be considered. In light of this, I believe that one possible course of action is for me to listen to these researchers. I meant nothing more or less than what I have just explained.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Just to clarify, is the Cabinet decision you are referring to the one made in March 2007? What exactly does the Cabinet decision that you are referring to involve?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am talking about the Cabinet decision made by the previous Abe Cabinet. Understanding that this decision was made, our basic stance is that as historians and academics are conducting studies, it is desirable that we consider the results of these studies.

REPORTER: The compendium of LDP policies prepared for the House of Representatives election states that full-time public officers will be posted to the Senkaku Islands and the fishing environment will be improved to strengthen the effective control of the Senkaku Islands. Will the Government put this plan into action? If you are to go ahead with this plan, could you tell us what kind of time frame you are considering? Could you also tell us what you mean by public officers? Do you mean officials from the Japan Coast Guard or police officers?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, let me make a clarification regarding the Senkaku Islands. Firstly, we value Japan-China relations. Secondly, Prime Minister Abe has always promoted a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Additionally, the Senkaku Islands are clearly an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law. Therefore, we would also like you to understand that we are committed to addressing this issue with an unwavering determination to protect the territory of our own nation. At the same time, as a nation who bears the responsibility of the peace and stability of the East Asian region, we will address this issue from a broad and strategic perspective. As was just mentioned, it is a fact that in the LDP election pledge it was stated that the party will consider the posting of public officers to the islands for the protection of the islands and consider the implementation of improvements and support measures for the fishing industry of the region. Therefore, moving forward, the Government would like to address this issue in the manner deemed most appropriate.

REPORTER: This topic was also raised last night, but I would like to ask a question regarding a National Security Council, the Japanese equivalent of the NSC. What sort of time frame do you have in mind for discussing this issue? For instance, are you aiming to establish some kind of direction within the next six months, or are you considering working on this issue as more of a long term agenda item of this administration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister himself also spoke on this topic during his press conference yesterday. We would like to work on this issue as more of a long-term agenda item, as you just said. Nothing is planned to begin immediately, we are looking at a longer time frame.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of the Senkaku Islands. Reports this morning revealed that the Chinese Government once created diplomatic documents that referred to the Senkaku Islands using their Japanese name and also regarded them as a part of Ryukyu, or Okinawa. The documents are contradictory to current Chinese Government views, which currently claim that the islands are a part of Taiwan. How do you view this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Do you mean that there were reports that China once understood the Senkaku Islands to have been a part of Japan?

REPORTER: It has been reported that diplomatic documents that state this have been discovered.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: You are saying that this has been reported in the media? We have always said that the Senkaku Islands are a territory of Japan and something such as this is extremely important for Japan, therefore I would like to remain attentive to this information.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a related topic. Earlier you stated that the Government "will address the issue in the manner deemed most appropriate" in relation to the posting of public officers on the Senkaku Islands.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is correct.

REPORTER: Japan-China relations have come under growing tension due to the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands by the Japanese Government. Could you share with us your views on the potential influence that the discovery of such diplomatic documents may have on future Japan-China relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said earlier, we do not wish to compromise Japan-China relations, or our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. I also said that we would like to address this issue in a manner that is befitting of a major nation of East Asia. We would like to address this issue from this position and perspective.

REPORTER: I understand that the dispatch of a special envoy to the Republic of Korea (ROK) prior to the inauguration of the new President appears to have been canceled, but have there been any continuing discussions since then?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is true that as we were in a state of political transition we thought that it would be more appropriate to wait until after the change of Government. It also requires scheduling in coordination with the ROK Government. We very much value the efforts made to build stronger Japan-ROK relations through the visits of numerous individuals. Therefore we are continuing considerations.

(Abridged)