Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• A submarine of unconfirmed nationality sailing in the contiguous waters off Kumejima Island
• The understanding of History
• Consultations concerning the release of groundwater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the oceans

REPORTER: Today the Ministry of Defense announced that a submarine of unconfirmed nationality was sailing in the contiguous waters off Kumejima Island. Given that there is no problem internationally for a vessel to be sailing in contiguous waters, could you explain the reason why the Ministry of Defense has chosen to make an announcement on this occasion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Under international law there are no provisions that prohibit a foreign submarine from sailing in the contiguous waters of the coastal country. However, as was noted in the announcement by the Ministry of Defense, following a similar incident that occurred on May 2, a submarine was confirmed to be sailing in these contiguous waters from yesterday evening. In that sense the Government considered this to be a matter that requires monitoring and surveillance and that is the reason why a decision was taken to make an announcement.

REPORTER: What is the status of analysis concerning the nationality of the vessel in question?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Ministry of Defense is currently engaging in such analysis.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the issue of the understanding of history, in a press conference today, co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party, Toru Hashimoto, showed his overall agreement and support for the comment made by the Prime Minister concerning "aggression," stating that as the Prime Minister himself had pointed out, there is no academic definition of what constitutes "aggression." What are your views on this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the statement made by Mayor Hashimoto represents his own personal view.

REPORTER: Mr. Hashimoto has also denied the issue of the military "comfort women," stating that there was no coercion on the part of the Japanese military. Are such views likely to have an influence on the view of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The view of the Government is as I have stated previously and the views stated by Mayor Hashimoto represent his own personal views. I have frequently stated the view of the Government with regard to this matter.

REPORTER: Given the fact that the election for the House of Councillors is coming up in the future, do you think that such comments will have an influence not in terms of the relationship between Mr. Hashimoto and Prime Minister Abe as mayor of Osaka and Prime Minister of Japan respectively, but as co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party and president of the Liberal Democratic Party?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I don't believe that there will be any influence. The view of the Government is already clear, as I have previously stated.

REPORTER: Give the current high degree of public support for the Cabinet, there are some people among opposition party members who suspect that the Government will call a simultaneous election for the House of Representatives and House of Councillors. Could you tell us if there are any arrangements being made along these lines within the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the Prime Minister alone who has the authority to dissolve the Diet and call an election, therefore I would like to refrain from making any comment on this matter.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Tokyo Electric Power Company and Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations have engaged in consultations concerning the release of groundwater into the oceans. Objections were raised by the Fisheries Federation and ultimately the consultations ended without reaching a conclusion. It appears that part of the consultations included a desire on the part of the Fisheries Federation for it to be made clear that the Government approved the release of groundwater. Could I ask for your views on this matter?
(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of the results of the consultations, but I assume that it concerned the issue of groundwater. (Abridged)
In order to control the inflow of water into the ocean, a well has been dug in front of the reactor building and groundwater is to be drawn up from it, in order to ensure that unpolluted water can be released directly into the sea, thus creating a by-pass for the groundwater. The Government is therefore in the process of confirming that there are no problems with the quality of this water and I have received a report that this process and related operations are being explained to persons concerned. I believe that it is such explanations that took place in the consultations between TEPCO and the Fisheries Federation, and the Government will make a judgment on how to proceed. However, the most important factor is to ensure that there are no problems with the water quality and I believe that this fact is currently being explained clearly to persons concerned.
(Abridged)

REPORTER: In relation to a previous question, you noted that with regard to the matter of Diet member Ms. Sanae Takaichi, she had read the content of your press conference. Have you spoken to Ms. Takaichi directly on the phone etc.?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I conveyed to her the official view of the Government on the matter.

REPORTER: When you spoke to her did you tell her that the things she said would cause problems for the Abe Cabinet, or anything along those lines?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I said nothing along those lines. I simply conveyed to her the official view of the Prime Minister and the Abe Cabinet.

REPORTER: Will Ms. Takaichi be issuing an apology?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I don't think so.

REPORTER: How did you convey the information to Ms. Takaichi, was it by telephone or other means?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I telephoned her. It was during that telephone call that she told me that she had read my press conference transcript.

REPORTER: Did Ms. Takaichi say she would be more careful going forward or anything like that?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I simply conveyed to her the official view of the Government and the Prime Minister.

(Abridged)