Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-ROK relations
• Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting
• Yasukuni Shrine
• The earthquake in Sichuan Province, China

REPORTER: It has been reported that the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for this weekend has been canceled. Could you inform us of the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the date of the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting was never arranged. Also, I have yet to hear that the meeting has been canceled. We had not even decided whether or not a meeting would take place.

REPORTER: These reports have originated from the ROK and it has been reported that the reasons for canceling the Foreign Ministers' Meeting may include Yasukuni Shrine visits by Government officials and the offering of a "masakaki" (a votive stick) by the Prime Minister. Could you share with us the Government's views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just stated, we have made no specific decision as to whether or not a meeting will take place. I would like to make this point clear. As for other matters reported, given that nothing has been determined and as it is a matter of diplomatic relations, I would like to refrain from answering your other questions.

REPORTER: Whether or not the meeting was to be held may not have been determined, nonetheless I am of the understanding that Japan and the ROK were in reality attempting to arrange a meeting for this weekend. What are your thoughts on the fact that the meeting may be canceled at this important time when Japan and the ROK must cooperate to address the North Korean issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not deny that arrangements were being made, however it is also true that we had never confirmed that a meeting would be held. Furthermore, we have never been informed of any of this by the ROK Government. I also believe that the ROK Government has not made an announcement.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: How do you think this will affect the North Korean issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, we had never decided that a meeting would be held, but you are telling me that it has been decided that it will be canceled. From our perspective things never progressed far enough for this to be the case.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question about a Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting. I understand that arrangements have been in progress for some time now for a meeting in May. Given that the ROK, who will be hosting the meeting, is saying things like this, I believe this meeting will also be affected. Has the ROK Government said anything to the Japanese Government about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, the ROK Government has not contacted us on this matter.

REPORTER: I understand that you are not in a position that allows you to easily comment on these diplomatic matters, but it is a fact that a number of Government officials have visited the Yasukuni Shrine this year in addition to the offering of a votive stick by the Prime Minister. What do you believe are the influences it may have on relationships with the ROK, China and other Asian nations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I believe that three Cabinet ministers visited Yasukuni Shrine. I have been informed of this via media reports. However, I understand that those ministers visited the Shrine in a private capacity. When ministers visit a shrine in a private capacity, it is a personal matter of the individual minister, and therefore I cannot make any comment on behalf of the Government.

REPORTER: Minister Furuya has made it very clear that he visited the shrine in the capacity of Minister of State, so obviously your understanding is different to his. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, he is the Minister of State. So even if he were to visit the Shrine in a private capacity, his title remains the Minister of State, therefore I believe that he used his title, as he always does.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Could you once again share with us the Abe Cabinet's stance on visits to Yasukuni Shrine by Cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Cabinet we take the stance that we will not dictate whether or not Cabinet members are allowed to visit the Shrine.

REPORTER: What is the reason for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said earlier, if the visit is made in a private capacity, we believe that it is a personal decision and that Cabinet is not in a position to restrict such a visit. I understand that some Cabinet ministers did the same during the previous administration of the Democratic Party of Japan and I believe they took this same stance.

REPORTER: I understand that this is the stance of Cabinet, however in reality when Cabinet ministers visit the Yasukuni Shrine it invariably leads to controversy in the media and tensions in Japan-ROK and Japan-China relations. What are your thoughts on this current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Different countries take different positions and personally I believe that something like this should not affect diplomatic relations.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the earthquake in China. It has been reported that at this moment, the Chinese Government does not require assistance from other nations. However, with Japan being a very earthquake prone nation, could you share with us in what way  the Japanese Government believes it could be of assistance to China at this point? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government received tremendous assistance from China following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Soon after the recent earthquake struck in China, Prime Minister Abe sent a message of sympathy to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang. At the same time, the Japanese Government also notified Chinese foreign affairs authorities that Japan is always ready to deploy relief workers and other emergency personnel if required. We notified the Chinese Government that by drawing on our experience, we will do anything possible if we can be of any assistance.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of the Yasukuni Shrine. I believe that the Prime Minister made an offering of a votive stick in the name of Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe. Could you confirm with us that this was the case? Additionally, I believe that this offering requires a cost of approximately 50,000 yen. Am I right to understand that this was not covered by public expenses but rather came out of Prime Minister Abe's pocket?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the offering by the Prime Minister was made in a private capacity, and in this sense I believe that I cannot make official comments on behalf of the Government. It was not a Government decision to make an offering during the spring festival season and I have not received any information saying that the offering was covered by public expenditure. Furthermore, although I touched on this earlier, you mentioned that the visit was made using official titles such as "Prime Minister" or "Minister of State such and such." I believe that using these titles only indicates that the individual holds that certain position and even if one is acting in a private capacity, he or she would still use his or her title. This is perfectly normal. Therefore, I believe that using their title does not mean that the offering was made in the capacity of a public figure.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a further question regarding Yasukuni Shrine. Chief Representative of New Komeito Yamaguchi expressed his concern regarding the visits of multiple ministers to Yasukuni Shrine. What are your thoughts on the fact that someone from your own ruling coalition expressed such an opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not have any knowledge of what the comments were, nor in what context they were made. However, I believe that if I explained to him what I just explained today, I am sure that he would naturally understand.

(Abridged)