Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The inauguration ceremony of the new ROK President
• The Takeshima Day on February 22

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to mention Japan's response regarding the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The ROK is one of Japan's most vital neighbors, with whom we share fundamental values and interests. Taking this opportunity of the establishment of new administrations in both countries, the Japanese Government will work to forge future-oriented and multilayered Japan-ROK relations with the ROK Government. Based on this notion, it has been decided that the Diet and other circumstances permitting, Mr. Aso, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Abe administration and a former Prime Minister, will attend the inauguration ceremony of Ms. Park Geun-hye to be held on Monday, February 25, to congratulate the inauguration of the new ROK President and to maintain and develop close relations with the ROK.

Furthermore, for Shimane Prefecture's 8th Takeshima Day commemorative event, which will be held on Friday, February 22, it has been decided that Parliamentary Secretary Aiko Shimajiri in charge of ocean policy and territorial issues will attend from the Government. The Government has been consistently reviewing more effective measures for clarifying Japan's position on the Takeshima territorial dispute, and the attendance of the Parliamentary Secretary is a part of these measures.

Q&As

• The inauguration ceremony of the new ROK President
• The Takeshima Day on February 22
• Stock market situations

REPORTER: I have two questions. Can you once again state the reasons as to why Deputy Prime Minister Aso was selected to attend the inauguration ceremony in the ROK? Also, can you confirm whether or not there are other ministers or others in politics or state affairs who will be attending the event?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The ROK indicated that for the invitation of overseas guests, in principle it would invite diplomatic missions stationed in the ROK as representatives of foreign governments. Furthermore, the ROK indicated that if a nation requests the dispatch of celebratory envoys, then it would consider them on an individual basis. In light of this intention of the ROK, we have decided to have Deputy Prime Minister Aso attend the inauguration ceremony of the President. Deputy Prime Minister Aso has maintained and enhanced close relations with the ROK, and is the Deputy Prime Minister of the Abe administration and a former Prime Minister. In addition, there has been a relationship of trust between him and the ROK. For these reasons, in view of developing close relations with the ROK, Deputy Prime Minister Aso will be dispatched.

REPORTER: Are there other senior vice ministers or, for example, parliamentary secretaries, who will be attending?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe so. The person that the Government has in mind is Deputy Prime Minister Aso.

REPORTER: In regard to this, are there any plans for a one-on-one meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Aso and President-elect Park Geun-hye? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is being coordinated.

REPORTER: Regarding this, in the process of coordinating with the ROK, can you describe what kind of requests were made by the ROK or whether in fact there were or were not any requests, such as what sort of individuals they wanted attending from Japan, and whether or not they approached the Government with regard to Mr. Aso? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated a short while ago, the ROK's intention was, in principle, to invite diplomatic missions stationed in the ROK as representatives of diplomatic delegations. This applied not only to Japan but also to all nations. Therefore, we decided to have Mr. Aso, the Deputy Prime Minister and a former Prime Minister who has had extensive relations with the ROK, to attend as a celebratory envoy.  

REPORTER: In relation to this, will Mr. Aso be dispatched as an Ambassador on Special Mission or the like? Also, will he be bringing a personal letter from the Prime Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I mentioned a short while ago, whether or not Deputy Prime Minister Aso attends depends on the Diet - it is if the circumstances permit, including with regard to the Diet. Therefore, as it is not yet set, a meeting with the President and so on will be arranged going forward.

REPORTER: Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary Shimajiri will be attending the ceremony hosted by Shimane Prefecture. It will not be a Minister or a Senior Vice Minister but a Parliamentary Secretary who will be the Government's representative. Was this choice made out of consideration for the ROK?          

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is more to do with the fact that a Government representative has in fact never been dispatched before, and therefore, we felt that someone from the Government should attend to clarify Japan's position on the Takeshima territorial dispute. In this context, we have decided on the attendance of the Parliamentary Secretary.

REPORTER: The dates of the Takeshima Day ceremony and the inauguration ceremony of the ROK President are close together. Let's say you are sending Mr. Aso to the ROK. Will Ms. Shimajiri's participation in the ceremony not negatively affect the friendly atmosphere? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you are aware, Japan's position is that the Takeshima dispute should be settled in a calm, fair, and peaceful manner based on international law. However, as Takeshima is an inherent part of the territory of Japan, the Japanese Government considered more effective measures, and on this basis, decided on the dispatch of the Parliamentary Secretary. 

REPORTER: Today's closing price of the Nikkei Stock Average of the Tokyo stock market was the highest since the Lehman shock. Although this is not out of the ordinary, if you can please share your thoughts on this.  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At these press conferences, I have consistently responded that a higher stock price is better than a lower one. In this sense, I believe this is a good thing. Moreover, there are strong expectations held of the three prongs of the economic policy of the Abe administration. At the same time, regarding the second prong - flexible fiscal policy, we would like to pass the draft supplementary budget at the earliest possible date and move on to the regular budget. We intend to steadily translate our commitments into action one by one.