Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The courtesy call on the Chief Cabinet Secretary by the Ambassador of the U.S to Japan
• Prosecutors' investigation on the nuclear accident in Fukushima

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that you had a meeting with United States Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos earlier today. Was nuclear testing by North Korea one of the topics you discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Ambassador Roos had, for some time, expressed his desire to make a courtesy call, but due to clashing schedules, the meeting had to be put off until today. During today's meeting, issues related to North Korea were not raised.

REPORTER: During the meeting, was anything concerning the F-35s raised?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, that topic was also not raised.

REPORTER: Please let me ask the question another way. Could you tell us what you discussed at the meeting to the extent that you are able to share with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was a courtesy call and myself has said that Japan-U.S. relations are the cornerstone for ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. With this understanding I also stated that the Abe administration is determined to cooperate closely and hopes that the next summit meeting with the U.S. President will be a successful one. In return, Ambassador Roos stated that he feels the same way.

REPORTER: So does that mean that during the meeting you exchanged opinions on, for example, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the context of the Japan-U.S. summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That was one of the topics that we did exchange opinions on.

REPORTER: Could you share with us exactly what you did share with each other?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Okinawa was brought up and the topic of the TPP was another topic we talked about. The meeting went on for about 20 minutes, a little over 20 minutes. It was a meeting, one that you might expect for this kind of situation.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It has been reported that prosecutors who have been investigating the possibility of laying criminal charges in relation to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station have confiscated some of the documentation of the interviews of concerned parties conducted by the Investigation Committee on the Accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations of Tokyo Electric Power Company with the precondition that the documentation will not be made public and no one specific will be held responsible. Could you share with us your views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office is currently conducting an investigation following the laying of charges. However, I must refrain from making any comments regarding the details of this issue as it is a matter currently under investigation.