Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The incident in which Japanese nationals have been taken hostage in Algeria

I would like to speak about the activities of the group of officials that is currently in In Aménas, which includes Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kiuchi, in relation to the incident in which Japanese nationals have been taken hostage in Algeria. The group arrived in Algeria yesterday and inspected the site where the capture of the Japanese nationals took place. As the security of the area remains a concern, the inspection was carried out with caution. It was already dark by the time the inspection had been completed; therefore, in the interest of ensuring safety the scheduled hospital visit had to be postponed. The inspection by the group could not have occurred any earlier as the earliest time possible to visit the site was to do it with the Algerian Minister of Energy. Due to the security concerns in the area, the group was not able to separate from the minister and his party and freely visit the hospital. A second group left for In Aménas with the initial plan of arriving at the site immediately after the group led by Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kiuchi arrived at the site. However, due to a sudden change in the weather and a sandstorm, the group had to return to Algiers. The group is expected to begin confirming the safety of Japanese nationals first thing tomorrow morning. We will provide you with updates of this process as necessary.

Q&As

(Abridged)