Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The decision to hold a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community on April 28

I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved nine general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Shindo made a statement concerning the fourth revision of the system of obligations (gimuzuke) and frameworks (wakuzuke). Prime Minister Abe and I made statements concerning the holding of a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community. Minister Yamamoto also made a statement concerning the ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community.

In today's Cabinet meeting it was decided that on Sunday, April 28, in the presence of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress, a Ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community will be held by the Government at the Parliamentary Museum, with the attendance of representatives of all sectors of society. This ceremony will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which marked Japan's complete restoration of sovereignty and its return into the international community. The ceremony is being held to confirm the significance of Japan's responsible contributions to peace and prosperity of the international community and to affirm our strong resolve to carve out our own future based on experiences and lessons to date. In today's Cabinet meeting the Prime Minister stated that in holding this ceremony it is important for us not to forget the troubled history of Amami, Ogasawara and Okinawa, which for a certain period following the war were not under the administration of Japan and that we should offer our thoughts to our predecessors who had to endure and live through such hardships. The Prime Minister also stated that it is important for us to provide an opportunity to renew our resolve to reduce the burden of bases faced by the people of Okinawa and to carve out our own future for the entire nation, including Amami, Ogasawara and Okinawa, In addition, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Yamamoto also made a related statement. As of today a Preparatory Office for the Ceremony to Commemorate the Anniversary of Japan's Restoration of Sovereignty and Return into the International Community has been established in the Minister's Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. For further details concerning the ceremony, please direct your questions to the Preparatory Office.

Q&As

• The treatment of Taiwan at the ceremony to commemorate the Second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other related issues
• The relocation of Futenma Air Station
• The ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community on April 28

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the issue of Taiwan. According to some Japanese media reports, at the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake that was held by the Government yesterday, representatives of China and Taiwan were invited to make floral tributes acknowledged by name, along with other diplomatic missions and international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has expressed strong grievance and dissatisfaction with regard to this matter. My question is this: has there been any change to the basic stance of the Government concerning the issue of Taiwan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I would like to point out that the Government of Japan provided an explanation to the Chinese Government concerning the purpose of the ceremony, noting that in view of the exceptional assistance provided by Taiwan following the earthquake, the Government sought to make an appropriate response to Taiwan to recognize this assistance. The arrangements made for this ceremony do not in any way change the stance of Japan with regard to Taiwan, as set forth in the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972. This fact was explained to the Chinese Government and the Government of Japan finds it therefore to be highly regrettable that the Chinese Government did not provide its understanding in this matter and was absent from the ceremony. It is regrettable. It is also regrettable that the Chinese Government should choose to take this gesture of appreciation to Taiwan, for the assistance that was provided to Japan from all sectors of society in Taiwan, in a negative way. Whatever the case, the Government's basic policy stance with regard to relations with Taiwan remains in accordance with the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972. Japan maintains non-governmental, working-level relations with Taiwan and will maintain relations in their current form. There is absolutely no change to the Government stance whatsoever.

REPORTER: You have just criticized China in strong terms for its absence from the ceremony, noting that it was very regrettable.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, it was regrettable.

REPORTER: The Republic of Korea (ROK) was also not present at the ceremony, but according to an explanation from Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida, this was due to a clerical oversight. What was the reason for the absence of the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that Foreign Minister Kishida has already explained in a press conference that the absence of the ROK was due to a clerical oversight on the part of the ROK. Last night, Ambassador of the ROK to Japan, Dr. Shin Kak-soo, contacted Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kawai to explain that it was absolutely not his intention to be absent from the ceremony.

REPORTER: Could you tell us in more concrete terms what was the reason for the clerical oversight on the part of the ROK was? Also, China has stated that the reason for its absence from the ceremony was due to the treatment of Taiwan. Is this explanation one that is accepted and understood by the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the ROK, as it was a clerical oversight on the ROK side, I do not know what form this oversight took. However, the Ambassador of the ROK provided the explanation himself. With regard to China, the Chinese Government conveyed their thoughts on the issue of Taiwan through diplomatic channels. The decision to attend or not was therefore made by China.

REPORTER: Are we to understand, therefore, that the Chinese Government conveyed to the Government of Japan a message that indicated the Taiwan issue was the cause of or a factor in their absence from the ceremony?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The decision about whether to attend was made by China, and it is a fact that there was an issue over the attendance of Taiwan.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the relocation of Futenma Air Station. Yesterday Nago Fisheries Association decided to consent to the land reclamation proposal at Henoko. What is the Government's reaction to this decision? Also, with regard to the timing of a submission to the governor of Okinawa for land reclamation, Nago Fisheries Association has indicated that it will not issue a certificate of consent until all issues concerning compensation for the fishing industry have been concluded. Does the Government intend to go ahead with the application prior to receiving such a certificate, or will the application be submitted once Nago Fisheries Association has provided its consent in writing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware that yesterday the Nago Fisheries Association held a plenary meeting in which resolutions were passed, including the granting of consent to the land reclamation proposal, the establishment of a negotiation committee relating to compensation for the fisheries industry, and the granting of discretion in this matter to the board of governors of the Association. However, with regard to the timing of the application for land reclamation relating to the relocation of Futenma Air Station, the Government will make a decision after having considered various circumstances.

REPORTER: Returning to the topic of the ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's restoration of sovereignty and return into the international community, you mentioned that representatives of all sectors of society would be present. Does the Government intend to send invitations to all prefectural governors, including Okinawa?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that is the intention.

REPORTER: You mentioned in your opening statement that this ceremony is being held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the treaty. Does this mean that it will be a one-off event?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The decision to hold the ceremony this year has been made in view of the fact that it is a milestone year and the Government will consider whether such a ceremony will be held in the future. I believe that consideration may be given to holding a similar ceremony in other milestone years in the future, but that is the thinking at the current time and we do not know what situations may emerge in the future.

(Abridged)