Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Ministerial Committee for the System to Nurture the Legal Profession
• The Information Security Policy Council
• The establishment of the Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy
• The IT Strategic Headquarters

I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved eight general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, temporary acting Prime Minister Aso made a statement concerning temporary acting ministers while ministers are away overseas.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Inada made a statement concerning draft ordinances relating to the new establishment, reorganization or abolition of regulations. Minister Mori made a statement concerning revisions to the Consumer Basic Plan.

Today, following the Cabinet meeting the second meeting of the Ministerial Committee for the System to Nurture the Legal Profession was held. In view of the importance of the various issues surrounding the system to nurture the legal profession, to date the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, together with Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries from related ministries and agencies and various experts have engaged in considerations relating to the system in the forum of this Ministerial Committee. After receiving the report of their considerations to date, it was resolved that the Ministerial Committee should continue to engage in considerations on this issue. For details, please direct your questions to the secretariat for the Ministerial Committee, which is scheduled to hold a press briefing later.

Today from 5:00 pm, the 32nd meeting of the Information Security Policy Council will be held. It is expected that the meeting will discuss such issues as the formulation of new information security policy, as well as means to strengthen Government countermeasures against cyber-attacks, in order to ensure the economic development of Japan, the security of the nation, and the safety and security of the people. Following the meeting today the National Information Security Center is scheduled to hold a press briefing on the outcomes of the meeting, so please refer to that briefing for further information.

Next, I would like to report on the establishment of the Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy. It has been decided that as part of concerted Government actions to engage in efforts towards the realization of a growth strategy for Japan, an Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy will be established within the Cabinet Secretariat. This office is being established in view of the fact that Japan has realized one of the most advanced medical and healthcare services in the world, together with a similarly high level of medical and healthcare-related technologies, which have resulted in Japan being the country with the longest healthy life expectancy. Given these achievements, the aim is to develop the medical sector, pharmaceutical products and medical devices and equipment as strategic industries that will form a key pillar for Japan's economic revitalization. Following the decision to establish the new Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy, it has been decided that the former Office for Promotion of Medical Innovation and the meeting for the Promotion of Medical Innovation will be abolished. The new Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy will be under my direct jurisdiction and will be headed by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Hiroto Izumi, who is to be supported by a dynamic cross-governmental implementation structure comprised of deputy director general-level officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, who will serve as deputies to Mr. Izumi. Moving forward, the new office will work to bring all ministries and agencies together, engaging in close cooperation with the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization and the Regulatory Reform Council to aim for the realization of a growth strategy in the healthcare and medical sectors. In accordance with the decision to establish the new office, as of today Mr. Izumi has been appointed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister in charge of growth strategy for the healthcare and medical sectors, in addition to his existing portfolios for the nation's infrastructure resilience, social capital development including reconstruction, and regional revitalization. For further details, please direct your inquiries to the Office for Healthcare and Medical Strategy.

I have one more item to report, concerning the IT Strategic Headquarters, about which I received a question the other day. In the meeting of the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization held on January 25, Prime Minister Abe gave instructions to Minister Yamamoto to consider rebuilding Japan's IT policy. Consideration is currently being given to holding a meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters, which is headed by the Prime Minister, at the earliest juncture. The aim is for Minister Yamamoto to spearhead efforts to formulate a new IT strategy by around May and it is expected that specific and vigorous discussion and deliberations will take place.

Q&As

• The Takeshima Day on February 22
• Press reports by the Chinese domestic media concerning the Prime Minister's responses in an interview with the Washington Post
• Japan-Russia relations (Former Prime Minister Mori's visit to Russia)
• A survey of the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido for geothermal energy
• Buoys placed by China in the waters near the Senkaku Islands
• The planned Japan-U.S. summit meeting and the Senkaku Islands
• The recent air pollution in China

REPORTER: Today is "Takeshima Day" as designated by Shimane Prefecture. What is the response of the Government towards achieving resolution of the Takeshima issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated yesterday, given the fact that Takeshima is an inherent part of the territory of Japan it was decided to dispatch a Parliamentary Secretary to attend "Takeshima Day," as a means of demonstrating the Government's stance on this issue. The Government hopes that the people of Japan will  broadly pay due attention to the Takeshima issue and wishes the success of the ceremony being held today by Shimane Prefecture.

REPORTER: On a related note, the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has indicated that it is considering some kind of retaliatory measures in response to the dispatch of Parliamentary Secretary Shimajiri to the Takeshima Day ceremony. What is the Government's reaction to this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that given the fact Takeshima is an inherent part of the territory of Japan it was natural that a Parliamentary Secretary should have been dispatched.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the content of responses made by Prime Minister Abe in an interview with the Washington Post. In the interview the Prime Minister was reported as stating, "China has a 'deeply ingrained' need to spar with Japan and other Asian neighbors over territory, because the ruling Communist Party uses the disputes to maintain strong domestic support." I have two things I would like to ask. Firstly, did the Prime Minister actually make such a statement? If the statement he made is different from that reported, what statement did he actually make with regard to Japan-China relations? Secondly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China yesterday expressed its extreme surprise at the report by the Washington Post, noting that although China seeks to develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests with Japan, negative behavior by Japan in response to China's sovereign territory, history and foreign policy would not be overlooked. What is the view of the Government concerning the comment made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the article and the comment made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. I believe that articles in the Chinese domestic media on Prime Minister Abe's interview that included the extract from the Washington Post interview did not accurately quote the actual statement made by the Prime Minister and are therefore open to misunderstanding. Japan's relations with China are one of the most important of our bilateral relations and our basic stance is to seek to promote a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests from a broad perspective. This is something that the Prime Minister has stated on repeated occasions. The Government has received an inquiry from China concerning the facts behind this matter and has requested an explanation of the Prime Minister's statement. In response, the Government has provided an explanation that the articles (in the Chinese domestic media) did not accurately quote the actual statement by the Prime Minister, which has resulted in this misunderstanding. The accurate text of the interview with the Washington Post is available and I would suggest that you take a look at it.

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to lodge a protest with the Washington Post?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, the interview as reported in the Washington Post and the points being made in China are different in content.

REPORTER: Did the Prime Minister actually use such expressions as "spar with" and "deeply-ingrained need" that could lead to misunderstanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I suggest that you take a look at the Washington Post. With regard to how the Prime Minister responded to which questions, the details are in the Washington Post and they are different to how the interview was reported in China.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Japan-Russia relations. Yesterday, former Prime Minister Mori met with President Putin. What was the report you received on the content of the meeting? Also, what is your view regarding its impact on bilateral relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not heard in detail about yesterday's statements since former Prime Minister Mori has not yet returned to Japan. However, according to a Government official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who was at the meeting, former Prime Minister Mori had direct talks with President Putin regarding Prime Minister Abe's visit to Russia, and I believe the groundwork was able to be laid for Prime Minister Abe's visit to Russia.

REPORTER: With the groundwork being laid, there are speculations that the visit will take place during long holidays starting at the end of April to be precise. What is the schedule of the Prime Minister's visit to Russia?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It seems this was reported by some news outlets. As Russia was enthusiastic about the visit and we, too, value Japan-Russia relations, we would like to realize the visit to Russia at a suitable time. As such, we are currently reviewing the timing.

REPORTER: Sorry, one more question. It is said that during the meeting, Mr. Mori asked President Putin what he had meant by "hikiwake" (draw) in reference to the territorial dispute, and President Putin stated that, "Hikiwake means a resolution with no winner or loser. It means a resolution acceptable to both sides." How does the Japanese Government interpret this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am also aware that these statements were made. As I have stated since the last press conference, the Japanese Government believes it is critically important to advance Japan-Russia cooperation in economics, security, and a variety of other areas in a mutually beneficial manner. The basic view of the Japanese Government is that we will continue to carry out persistent negotiations towards the resolution of the issue of the attribution of the four islands and the conclusion of a peace treaty.

REPORTER: At this point in time you do not anticipate a hikiwake?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Therefore, based on the basic view that I have just stated, I believe the Prime Minister will pursue a summit meeting at a suitable time.

REPORTER: Allow me to confirm one more time (about the content of the articles in the Chinese domestic media regarding the Washington Post interview). You said that the articles did not accurately quote the actual statement and are therefore open to misunderstanding. The Washington Post article is in English. Did Prime Minister Abe make such a statement in Japanese or not? Is it correct to understand that he did not?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: He did not.

REPORTER: What does the Japanese Government think of the fact that some Chinese media outlets have reported on a statement that Prime Minister Abe did not actually make, or that they have focused heavily on this one part of the interview, or that the statement was reported in China without an accurate quote?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We lodged a protest yesterday, February 21. The Japanese Embassy in China lodged a protest to the Chinese media, noting that the quote is inaccurate and open to misunderstanding, and requesting that the Chinese media conduct accurate reporting.  

REPORTER: Today, a major news story broke that a survey of the Daisetsuzan National Park in Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido will start as early as this spring, ahead of the construction of what would be the first geothermal power plant at a national park. The plan is moving forward thanks to the easing of regulations to promote the use of renewable energies. Do you have any prospects or expectations for the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, Japan ranks third in the world in geothermal energy reserves. Nevertheless, at this time, the use of geothermal power remains at 0.3% of all generated power in Japan, and we are working to expand its use. As to why the survey could not be done before, it was because this is a national park, and therefore, its excavation could not go ahead easily. However, due to the easing of regulations, the "go" sign was given for excavating from the side. In this sense, a survey will be carried out for the first time at a national park since the easing of the regulations. This is an extremely positive step forward, and we have high expectations that a substantial amount of geothermal energy reserves may be converted into energy if we continue to carry out more of these surveys and excavations.

REPORTER: According to some news reports, several buoys have been placed in the waters near the Senkaku Islands. I understand that the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is aware of this. My first question is, are the buoys located in the territorial waters of Japan or of China? Also, has the Government lodged any protests or taken any similar courses of action? If you can please answer these two questions.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, with regard to the facts, on February 17, a JCG patrol vessel confirmed the buoys that are located 300m from the geographical median line of the East China Sea on the Chinese side, which are believed to have been placed by the State Oceanic Administration of China. These are the facts. This does not present any particular issues with respect to international law. However, through diplomatic channels, Japan is currently seeking an explanation of the buoys from China.

REPORTER: I am sorry that my questions are based on news reports, but some news reports allege that the buoys have various sensors and that various sophisticated information devices are installed to detect the submarines and the like of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Is the Government aware of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are not aware of this. It is presumed that the buoys are intended for carrying out conventional meteorological observations, etc. However, the details are not known. Therefore, Japan is currently seeking an explanation of the buoys from China through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: Regarding the Takeshima Day ceremony, I believe it can be said that the Government has absolute right over territorial matters. In this context, can you please share your thoughts as to what is the significance or meaning of Shimane Prefecture's hosting of the ceremony?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The people of Shimane Prefecture, through concerted efforts, in the sense that Takeshima is part of Shimane Prefecture, have long been commemorating Takeshima Day and carrying out advocacy and awareness-raising activities. In this context, the Government, or we, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, have been sending delegations to these ceremonies. While opposition parties have also sent delegations, a Government representative attended the ceremony for the first time this year in response to these efforts.  

REPORTER: What is your view regarding the fact that the local government holds these ceremonies and the fact that it is not the Government but an actor that cannot possibly take concrete actions towards the settlement of the territorial dispute that holds these ceremonies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Therefore, as I stated, in that sense, the Government would like to show its respect towards the Shimane people, who, through their concerted efforts, have taken the initiative to carry out these awareness-raising activities ahead of the Government.

REPORTER: Also, this dispute has remained unresolved for more than 60 years already. What do you have in mind for taking the first step towards the settlement of this dispute?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe it is indeed important that we continue to carry out these activities persistently.

REPORTER: In regard to the Senkaku Islands that came up earlier, at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, the U.S. is expected to ask Japan what its stance is regarding what it will do to improve the relations between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands. What kind of explanation does the Japanese Government consider to be desirable?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In light also of the statement that has been made by previous Secretary of State Clinton, I believe the summit meeting will make clear that the trust between Japan and the U.S. will be strengthened in the global context. I am not yet aware of in which areas. I believe the two leaders will reaffirm and advance the Japan-U.S. alliance.

REPORTER: I believe there are some difficult aspects concerning the improvement of Japan-China relations. Will Japan and the U.S. be calling on each other to work together to deal with these aspects? Is that what is going to happen? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With North Korea's nuclear test taking place, the President and the Prime Minister confirmed in their telephone talks that the two allies will work together closely to deal with these various issues. This has been ensured based on the trust between the two countries, and therefore, I expect that the meeting will be very meaningful.

REPORTER: PM2.5 levels exceeded the environmental standard at 30% of the monitoring stations in Japan. Analysis findings suggest that it is highly likely that the PM2.5 have come over from China. What is your view regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated before, we have asked local governments for their cooperation in bolstering their monitoring systems. Furthermore, we hope to create provisional guidelines by the end of this month to set forth the responses which will be taken if PM2.5 levels exceed a certain concentration, among other items. In addition, Japan has requested China to hold consultations regarding the severe air pollution. Based on this request, director-level consultations are being held with China in Beijing this morning. From Japan, personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are expected to be at the consultations. I understand that an overview will be disclosed following the consultations.