Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The information that a number of Japanese nationals are being held hostage by an armed group in Algeria

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has received reports that a number of Japanese nationals - the exact number is currently being confirmed - working for a Japanese company in Algeria, have been taken captive by an armed group and are being held hostage. Efforts to confirm this information are currently being expedited. With regard to the number of Japanese nationals involved there are currently differing reports. The Government first received notification of the incident at 4:40 pm, and immediately established a response office, headed by the Director-General of the Consular Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At 5:00 pm a response office at the Prime Minister's Office was also established, headed by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management. Given the nature of this matter and the fact that it relates to the taking of hostages, I ask for your understanding that it was not disclosed immediately. At 8:00 pm, on my instructions an inter-ministry director-general-level liaison meeting was convened under the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management, at which information was collected and shared and the response policy of the Government was confirmed. Currently all necessary measures and actions are being advanced to realize the rescue and ensure the safety of the Japanese nationals, including efforts by the Algerian government.

I made a further report by telephone to Prime Minister Abe, who is currently on an overseas visit, at 8:30 pm, my first report to him being at 4:50 pm. I received the following instructions from the Prime Minister: Firstly, to make a response that places the utmost priority on  the lives of those affected; to enhance information  gathering and make every effort to gain a full picture of the situation; and to cooperate closely with all related countries, including the country directly concerned.

Given the nature of this incident and the fact that it relates to human hostages, at this current point I would like to refrain from making any further specific comments about the details.

Q&As

REPORTER: Does the Government have information about the safety of those being held and any specific information such as their names?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is currently liaising with contacts on the ground in Algeria, but given the nature of the incident I would like to refrain from further comment.

REPORTER: Does that mean that you have such information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, at the current time there are multiple, conflicting sources of information.

REPORTER: The Japanese company involved, namely JGC Corporation (ok), has indicated that there is a possibility the people involved may be its own employees. What are the facts surrounding this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The company in question has approached the Government given the nature of the incident, so at this early stage I  refrained from further comment. You are right that the company in question is JGC Corporation.

REPORTER: You stated at the outset that a number of Japanese nationals are being held hostage. There are various reports that five or six Japanese nationals are involved. Is the Government aware of the actual number?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are various different reports about the number of people involved and therefore the number cannot be specified at the moment with any degree of certainty.

REPORTER: Has the Government received any information at the current point about demands from the hostage takers?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is an incident that has in reality only just occurred and therefore I will refrain from making any comment on this point.

REPORTER: I believe that there are Japanese nationals and other people involved in the case on the ground. Are there any plans at the current time to dispatch someone to Algeria?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Above all, in accordance with the instructions from the Prime Minister to place the utmost priority on the safety of the lives of the people involved, measures are currently being taken in that regard, through diplomatic channels.