Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The presentation of the National Honor Award to former Yokozuna Taiho
• Information management of personnel matters

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved one proposal for submission to the Diet as well as a cabinet order and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Mori made a statement concerning a report of the results of the consolidation and analysis of information on consumer accidents, etc., and I made a statement concerning the presentation of the National Honor Award to the late Koki Naya (former Yokozuna Taiho).

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the advance disbursement of special local grants, and Minister Mori made a statement concerning initiatives to promote the active participation of women. I made a statement concerning thorough management of personnel information.

Today, the Prime Minister has decided to confer and present the National Honor Award to the late Koki Naya (former Yokozuna Taiho). The award will be presented to honor the distinguished accomplishments of the late Koki Naya, who, through his dedicated efforts and discipline, left a remarkable record in the sumo world as one of the greatest Yokozunas of the Showa era by winning 32 makuuchi tournaments - the most in the history of sumo, as well as bringing society bright dreams, hopes, and courage as a nationally loved hero, admired by many of the Japanese people. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on Monday, February 25 at the Prime Minister's Office.

With regard to the matter in which one of the personnel appointments proposed to the Diet for approval was recently reported by some news media in advance, I once again asked Cabinet members in today's ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting to ensure that information is thoroughly managed. At this afternoon's administrative vice ministers' liaison meeting as well, I will directly instruct the administrative vice ministers of each ministry to ensure that information is thoroughly managed.

Q&As

• Japan-China relations
• Meeting between Prime Minister Abe and former Prime Minister Mori
• The Verification Committee on the Terrorist Incident against Japanese Nationals in Algeria
• The nuclear test by North Korea
• Press reports on U.S. senior officials' visit to North Korea

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Ten days have passed since the radar lock-on incident involving China. Yet, even now, I believe China still has not changed its position that Japan issued a fabricated announcement. I believe Japan has sufficient evidence and was considering whether or not to disclose it. What is the status of the considerations, and has a decision already been made as to whether or not Japan will disclose the information in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, our announcement was based on careful and detailed analysis, and therefore, Japan cannot accept in any way China's explanation that there was no radar lock-on. At the same time, as disclosing the evidence will risk making Japan's intelligence analysis capabilities known, we are coordinating with the relevant ministries and agencies. We will explore a variety of responses depending on how our counterpart behaves.

REPORTER: I understand that you will decide based on your observations of China's behavior. However, if China continues to say that Japan is making fabrications, how will Japan respond to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is why we will take responses while watching to see how our counterpart behaves.

REPORTER: I believe former Prime Minister Mori met with Prime Minister Abe yesterday evening. Can you please describe the content of the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Although I am not aware of the details as I was not present in the meeting, my assumption is that a variety of views were exchanged in the context of former Prime Minister Mori's scheduled visit to Russia as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to meet with President Putin.

REPORTER: Another question, has the itinerary already been set for his dispatch as a Special Envoy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It has not yet been finalized. As soon as it is finalized, I will make an announcement.

REPORTER: I believe former Prime Minister Mori stated that the two also discussed his visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK). Can you verify the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand or I am aware that former Prime Minister Mori will be attending the inauguration ceremony of the ROK President.

REPORTER: A short while ago, it was announced that based on the alert that Chinese vessels, etc., again appeared in the waters near the Senkaku Islands this morning, the Information Liaison Office within the Crisis Management Center was reorganized into the Response Office at the Prime Minister's Office. What kind of incident was this exactly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not have detailed knowledge of the matter. However, I believe in the same way as before, Chinese vessels intruded into Japanese territorial waters.

REPORTER: Tomorrow, February 16, marks one month since the incident occurred in Algeria. A meeting of the Verification Committee will also be held today. Can you share with us what your thoughts are regarding this, as well as the path the verification work is headed along and the items which will be discussed at the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the second meeting of the Verification Committee on the Terrorist Incident against Japanese Nationals in Algeria will be held today from around 11:30 am. At the meeting, we expect to receive a report from Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kiuchi regarding the incident, including the situation at the site. The content of the verifications being carried out by the ministries and agencies will also be reported and discussed. In any case, it is essential that an all-Japan approach is taken to respond to these crises. It is based on this viewpoint that verifications are now being carried out, and by the end of this month, the Committee will compile and fully set out what the Government could have done better, what it should do, the way forward and so on. We will then listen to a variety of opinions from eminent persons regarding future action. The Government will make every effort to ensure that we are fully prepared to deal with these incidents going forward.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to some news reports, the Chinese Government is considering unilateral sanctions against North Korea in response to its latest nuclear test. How does Japan regard China's moves?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I too am aware of such news reports. In any case, first, the countries concerned will work together to seek action. In particular, we will seek action at various forums, such as the Six-Party Talks and the United Nations. China has already expressed its firm opposition to North Korea's latest nuclear test. As we believe China has the most influence on North Korea, we consider it critically important that China takes harsh actions.

REPORTER: It has come to light that U.S. senior officials made secret visits to North Korea through August of last year. It has also come to light that the Japanese Government was left out of the information loop. How does the Government feel about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of this news report. However, I would like to refrain from revealing each and every exchange which took place between the United States U.S. and Japan. I would just like to make clear that both sides are working closely together to take action.

(Abridged)