Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved ten general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the impact of the review of the livelihood assistance criteria on other systems. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the maximum tax exemption amount for individual inhabitant taxes associated with the review of the livelihood assistance criteria. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and I, respectively, made statements concerning the impact of the review of the livelihood assistance criteria on other systems. Minister Shindo made a statement concerning the fourth review of the system of obligations (gimuzuke) and frameworks (wakuzuke).

Q&As

• The air pollution in China
• The Senkaku Islands
• The establishment of an office on territorial and sovereignty issues under the Cabinet Secretariat

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Changing the subject, I have a question regarding the air pollution in China. This is a big concern to the Japanese people, and I am aware that the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) is collecting information. Does the Government have any intention moving forward to make any kind of appeal to China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As of this time, the air pollution is not at a level that will result in immediate health consequences. MOE is taking appropriate responses, including continuing to study the air pollutant situation, and we will continue to take these responses at this time.

REPORTER: Yesterday, I understand that Chinese maritime surveillance vessels were inside the waters around "the Diaoyu Islands", which are known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan, for more than 14 hours. How does the Japanese Government view the current situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday, that was the situation. As there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law, it is extremely regrettable that the vessels remained in the waters for many hours, and this is completely unacceptable. Today, at 10:30 am, in accordance with the instruction of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Japan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is lodging a severe protest.

REPORTER: Chief Cabinet Secretary, according to some reports, the Japanese Government has decided on a policy to establish a territorial office. Can you please elaborate on the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, I believe Minister Yamamoto will be giving a press conference. The Territorial and Sovereignty Measures Planning and Coordination Office was established to coordinate with the Northern Territories Affairs Administration of the Cabinet Office.

REPORTER: What is the purpose and aim of the Coordination Office?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We envision that under the established system, the Territorial and Sovereignty Measures Planning and Coordination Office will help the public gain a better understanding of territorial and sovereignty issues, in addition to carrying out other activities, while working closely with the relevant ministries and agencies.

(Abridged)