Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The 41st Anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan

Today marks the 41st anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. During the Second World War Okinawa experienced tragic land battles, and for 27 years following the end of the war was left outside the administrative power of Japan, thus experiencing hardships and troubles that were not experienced in other regions. Prime Minister Eisaku Sato believed that without the reversion of Okinawa the post-war period would remain unfinished, and it was based on this belief that he staked his political career on ensuring the reversion of Okinawa, which was ultimately achieved in 1972. Even following reversion the prefecture has continued to face many difficulties, and it is thanks to the untiring efforts of our predecessors that Okinawa has achieved steady development. On this day of commemoration of the reversion of Okinawa, the Abe administration would like to recognize anew the dedication of our predecessors in overcoming various adversities and renew our resolve to work to reduce the burden of U.S. bases and achieve a strong and self-reliant Okinawa together with the people of the prefecture.

Q&As

• Japan-North Korea relations
• The European Commission's investigation into improper fixing of oil prices
• A column related to the Prime Minister in a United States magazine called The Nelson Report
• LDP's catchphrase for the upcoming House of Councillors election

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the visit to North Korea by Special Advisor to the Cabinet Mr. Isao Iijima. Could you tell us the background that led to this visit and with what aims it is being undertaken?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making any comment concerning the background to the visit. Whatever the case, the Government's stance on North Korea is clear, and it is under the stated policy of dialogue and pressure that we seek to work towards a comprehensive solution to various issues of concern, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. In particular, the abduction issue is one of the highest priorities, and one which the Government has a responsibility to seek to resolve. The Government will continue to make every endeavor to ensure the safety and the immediate return to Japan of all the abductees, obtain a full account concerning the abductions, and realize the handover of the perpetrators of the abductions.

REPORTER: On a related note, in responses to Diet questions today, both Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kishida have refrained from making any comment concerning this matter. You have also refrained from making any comment. What is the reason for the lack of any official comment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It should go without saying that due to the nature of the matter it is something that I would like to refrain from making any comment on.

REPORTER: Looking back on past visits to North Korea it becomes apparent that at times of friction between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and North Korea, it is the case that North Korea makes approaches to Japan, seemingly in an attempt to drive a wedge between the two allies of Japan and the ROK. This kind of approach has been seen on previous occasions, and therefore I would think that any visit to North Korea at this time should have been considered cautiously.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I'm sorry, what was your question?

REPORTER: What I am asking is that a decision to make a visit to North Korea at this time would have to be considered cautiously, in light of the policies towards North Korea that the Government has control over. In that sense I would have thought it to be incumbent on the Government to provide some kind of explanation to the public concerning the intention of such a visit.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have already stated, the Government's policies with regard to North Korea and on the abduction issue are already clear. Therefore, as I have also already stated, due to the nature of the current matter I would like to refrain from making any comment.

REPORTER: If that is the case, can I ask whether the Government has any concerns that a visit such as this one will be used by North Korea for international propaganda purposes?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have already stated, the Government's policies on North Korea are clear and due to the nature of the current matter I would like to refrain from making any further comment.

REPORTER: With regard to the reaction of the United States to the visit, the United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies has stated that he was unaware of the visit by Mr. Iijima. As Mr. Davies is scheduled to visit Japan from tomorrow he has indicated his intention to ask for an explanation from the Government. I would like to ask whether it is actually the case that the Government has not provided any explanation to the United States and also to the ROK on this matter, and if so, what kind of explanation does the Government intend to provide?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is of the utmost importance for Japan to maintain close contact and cooperation with countries concerned with North Korean issues, including the United States. This is something I have stated frequently in the forum of this press conference.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to reports by the Korean Central News Agency of North Korea concerning Mr. Iijima's visit, his title is being given as "Special Advisor on Crisis Management." Is this the title that has been given to Mr. Iijima on the occasion of this visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I don't know where such a title came from, but it is my understanding that Mr. Iijima's title is still Special Advisor to the Cabinet.

REPORTER: Is there any reason why the North Korean side should give Mr. Iijima a different title?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is no reason that I can think of as to why this should be the case.

REPORTER: The families of the abduction victims have expressed their expectations that the visit by Mr. Iijima will lead to progress on the abduction issue. What are your thoughts about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The basic stance of the Government with regard to policy on North Korea is one of dialogue and pressure. I have attended meetings of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue myself. Also, given the advanced age of many of the family members of the victims, in these meetings the Prime Minister himself has stated his resolve to achieve a resolution to the abduction issue as one of the highest priorities of this administration.

REPORTER: Do you think that this visit to North Korea will be able to achieve results that will match the expectations of the families of the abduction victims?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have already stated, due to the nature of the current matter I would like to refrain from making any further comment.

REPORTER: You have just stated that cooperation with the United States and the ROK is important, which is certainly true. However, if cooperation with these countries is so important why is it the case this time that no prior liaison or exchange of information took place concerning the visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In general, I think that you will also find that each country has engaged in various actions of its own to date. However, due to the nature of the current matter I would like to refrain from making any further comment.

REPORTER: The visit to North Korea by Mr. Iijima is very much in the public domain as can be seen from the fact that his arrival at the airport in North Korea was televised. It could be viewed that Japan has been lured in to making such a high-profile visit for the purpose of providing positive news for North Korea and has therefore been duped. What are your thoughts on such a view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated at the beginning, the Government's basic policy on North Korea is one of dialogue and pressure, seeking to work towards a comprehensive solution to various issues of concern, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. The Government's position on the abduction issue is also clear, in that we continue to make every endeavor to ensure the safety and the immediate return to Japan of all the abductees, obtain a full account concerning the abductions, and realize the handover of the perpetrators of the abductions. These policies of the Government of Japan are clear. Given this fact, due to the nature of the current matter I would like to refrain from making any further comment.

REPORTER: Is Mr. Iijima visiting North Korea in his capacity as Special Advisor to the Cabinet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We haven't ever revoked his title.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to oil prices the European Commission has launched an investigation into the possibility of improper price fixing by major oil companies. Could I ask for a comment concerning this issue and how it is viewed by the Government, given the fact that Japan is a major importing country?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the reports on this matter. However, I am also aware that the European Union has not yet made any ruling and therefore at the current point I do not think it is appropriate to make any comment on behalf of the Government, particularly when nothing has been decided. However, in general terms, it is only natural to assume that the trade in oil is implemented under a fair pricing scheme and the Government will continue to monitor trends in the international oil price.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In a United States magazine called The Nelson Report, there was a column referring to a photograph of Prime Minister Abe seated in a Blue Impulse training jet, which bore the number 731. The column stated an opinion that this would bring to mind Unit 731 (from the time of the Second World War). The column and photograph have been widely reported on the internet in Korea. Could I ask for an explanation of the intentions behind this photograph and whether you are aware of the press report in question? Also, do you consider that this report could be taken as being an expression of suspicions or feelings of tension that the Korean public harbor against Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not heard about this matter at all and I don't think it is credible to believe that the Prime Minister would do such a thing anyway.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has adopted the same catchphrase for the upcoming House of Councillors election this summer as for the House of Representatives election last year, namely "Take Back Japan." Almost six months have now passed since the inauguration of this administration, so during that time what areas do you think have been "taken back," other than control of the Government administration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Less than six months have passed since the inauguration of this administration, in fact it is more like five months. At the time of the appointment of all of the Cabinet ministers, Prime Minister Abe issued instructions that he wanted all ministers to concentrate their efforts on revitalization of the Japanese economy, reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and thorough implementation of crisis management, and for each minister to act as if they were the ministers in charge of these issues. Among these, the revitalization of the Japanese economy is one area in which particular efforts have been made, and in actual fact the share price index has now risen today above 15,000 yen. There are expectations both at home and abroad that the Government will aim to achieve a strong economy. Furthermore, both the Cabinet and the LDP are working towards truly taking back Japan by also accelerating reconstruction from the earthquake and implementing thorough crisis management, as well as engaging in other issues such as education and diplomacy. In that sense, given that the election for the House of Councillors will be held in July, as a member of the Cabinet I would like to welcome the fact that "Take Back Japan" has been selected as a catchphrase. In order to work towards taking Japan back, we will work to win the election, so that we can complete the targets that we have set forth to date.

(Abridged)