Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-China relations (the beaming of a radar by a Chinese naval vessel)
• Consideration on the establishment of a Japanese National Security Council
• Yasukuni Shrine

REPORTER: With regard to the beaming of a radar by a Chinese naval vessel, United States Secretary of Defense Panetta has strongly criticized China for persisting in its hardline stance concerning the Senkaku Islands. What is the reaction of the Government to these comments by the U.S. Secretary of Defense?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that all countries around the world consider global peace to be of the utmost importance. Japan and the United States are allies and I am aware of the comments made by the Secretary of Defense. For its part, the Government believes it to be important that the situation does not further escalate.

REPORTER: On a related note, has an explanation been provided by the Chinese Government concerning this series of incidents and if an explanation is not forthcoming, does the Government intend to request one?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Through diplomatic channels the Government is continuing to call on the Chinese Government to fulfill its responsibility to provide an explanation.

REPORTER: On a related matter, yesterday in the morning press conference Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato indicated that the Government would like to take actions to put a "maritime communication mechanism" into action in order to prevent further clashes between Japan and China. In specific terms how does the Government intend to seek progress on this issue with the Chinese side and what sort of timetable is being considered?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The purpose and structure of this mechanism is something that was agreed between the defense authorities of Japan and China last year in June. However, these consultations have been halted due to the situations surrounding the Senkaku Islands. The position of the Government is that we seek to engage in mutual communication to finalize plans to restart the consultations as soon as possible.

REPORTER: When you say "mutual," does that mean that the two governments are in contact over this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, but as the concept for such a mechanism is something that has been agreed between the two sides, the Government is calling on the Chinese Government to engage in its actual construction.

REPORTER: Yesterday, Secretary General Ishiba of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) expressed his opinion that the incident of the radar beaming by a Chinese vessel would need to be examined to assess whether it constitutes compulsive armed attack. What are the Government's thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The radar beaming incident is one that the Government recognizes as having been a dangerous act that could have caused a contingency situation. We have therefore issued a strong protest, calling for restraint from unnecessarily conducting such acts.

REPORTER: There have been some press reports suggesting that similar radar beaming incidents took place prior to the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands. What are the facts behind such reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of any such incidents.

REPORTER: On a different topic, there are some press reports suggesting that the first meeting to discuss the establishment of a Japanese National Security Council (NSC) will be held on February 15. Could you tell us if the schedule and membership of the meeting has been decided?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The members of the meeting have been more-or-less confirmed and we are now at the stage of coordinating schedules, towards a date similar to the one that you mentioned.

REPORTER: There are reports that it is becoming a normal occurrence for fighter jets to fly close to Japan's airspace. What are the facts behind these reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on this matter.

REPORTER: Today in the Diet Budget Affairs Committee the Prime Minister noted once again that it was a source of great regret that he had been unable to pay a visit to Yasukuni Shrine. What are the views of the Abe Administration concerning Cabinet ministers paying visits to Yasukuni Shrine?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, the Prime Minister's response in the Diet Budget Affairs Committee was the same as he has stated in the past, namely that it was a source of great regret that he could not pay visits to Yasukuni Shrine on previous occasions. At the same time, he also noted that whether he does or does not pay a visit, this is not something that should be publicly mentioned. Therefore, with regard to the issue of Yasukuni Shrine, I do not think it needs to be reported whether Cabinet ministers visit or not, and there is absolutely nothing to be stated on the matter from a Government standpoint.

REPORTER: So is it your recognition that a decision on whether to pay a visit or not is entirely at the discretion of individual ministers?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I will refrain from making any comment, including on that point.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the radar beaming incident the Government has requested cooperation from the United States Government. What is the specific nature of the cooperation that is being sought?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The fact of the matter is that Japan and the United States are allies and accordingly the two governments are engaged in various consultations and interactions on a daily basis for the purpose of deepening cooperation, nothing more and nothing less.

(Abridged)