Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The execution of death sentence of three crimilnals
• Health care and medical strategy
• Measures against cyber-attacks

REPORTER: This morning three condemned criminals received the death sentence, which was the first time for the death sentence to be carried out since the inauguration of the Abe Administration. What is the reaction of the Government to this matter and why were the sentences carried out at this time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the death sentence was carried out on three people. The sentence was carried out at the order of the Minister of Justice, who made a proper judgment according to legal stipulations. The cases for which the sentenced criminals were executed were extremely regrettable and resulted in the precious lives of victims being lost, leaving the relatives of the victims bereft. I believe that it was in view of the facts of these cases and as a result of serious consideration that an order was issued to implement the death sentence.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are a number of press reports today that stated that the Office for Promotion of Medical Innovation in the Cabinet Secretariat is being reorganized and renamed as the Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy. What are the facts behind these reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government believes that the healthcare and medical sector, including pharmaceutical products and medical devices, is an important industrial sector that is expected to grow globally in the future. As such, this sector is likely to be an extremely important one for the growth strategy of the Abe Cabinet, and should therefore be nurtured and developed with a view to ensuring that the highest standard of pharmaceutical products and medical devices can be made readily available to the people of Japan. Under my direction, a dynamic and cross-governmental structure will be developed, involving all ministries and agencies concerned, and will be put into operation. This newly reorganized organization is expected to be launched as soon as tomorrow.

REPORTER: Is it also true, as stated in press reports, that the head of the new office will be Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Hiroto Izumi?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, Mr. Izumi is extremely familiar with this sector, having been involved in the formulation of healthcare-related legislation and also in matters relating to nursing care facilities in his previous post. He is highly capable and that is the reason why he has been requested to become the head of the new office. Looking back on experiences to date, it is evident that unless ministries and agencies work together and make concerted efforts beyond the government's vertically-segmented administrative structure, an effective strategy will not be forthcoming. In that sense, I feel that Mr. Izumi is undoubtedly the best person for the job.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question with regard to cyber-attacks. At the present time, if a ministry or agency were to be subject to a cyber-attack, to what degree would it be possible to identify the source of the attack?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the case of a United States company was raised in a newspaper report relating to this issue. The Government takes cyber-attacks from overseas, including China, with the greatest seriousness and is currently engaged in monitoring and surveillance. In terms of specific details, given the nature of the investigation and intelligence-related matters, I shall refrain from making any further comment.

(Abridged)