Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities
• The Information Security Policy Council
• The appointment of President of the National Archives of Japan

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved 9 general and other measures and the promulgation of legislation, as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Prime Minister Abe and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries each made a statement concerning the formation of the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities; I made a statement concerning the Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado's trip to Canada and a statement concerning the personnel affairs relating to the heads of independent administrative agencies; and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism each made a statement concerning the appointment of heads of special companies.

At today's Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities will be formed and the first of its meetings was held following the Cabinet meeting. The Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities will be chaired by the Prime Minister, while the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and I will serve as deputies with other relevant ministers as members of the headquarters. The headquarters will broadly discuss bold measures that will allow the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry and regional communities to become a long-term source of vitality for the nation and enable their sustainable development while taking into consideration the discussions conducted by the Industrial Competitiveness Council. At the beginning of today's meeting, the Prime Minister asked Cabinet to act as one in helping the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry to become a more appealing industry in the eyes of today's youth and comprehensively discuss measures to protect the agricultural and fishing communities, as well as the hometowns of Japan. In keeping with these instructions, we agreed that the headquarters will conduct vigorous discussions on a wide range of topics, including measures that will allow the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry to become a growth industry and develop a plan to create vitality for the industry and regional communities. For more details on this topic, please contact the office of the Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Following today's Cabinet meeting, the 34th meeting of the Information Security Policy Council was held. In our efforts to ensure the economic development of Japan, the security of the nation, and the safety and security of citizens, the council examined public opinion regarding cyber security strategy and came to a conclusion. Moving forward, while drawing on the opinions expressed by the public, we are planning to develop a final draft for the cyber security strategy by the end of June this year. The National Information Security Center is scheduled to hold a press briefing on the outcomes of the meeting after this press conference, so please refer to that briefing for further information.

Today's Cabinet meeting approved the appointment of Mr. Takeo Kato, former Chairman of Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., as President of the National Archives of Japan as of June 1. He will assume the role in place of Mr. Masaya Takayama, who will resign from that position as at May 31.

Q&As

• The Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities
• The relocation of Futenma Air Station
• Japan-North Korea relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the formation of the council [on agriculture, forestry and fishery industries]. Could you share with us the background behind the formation of this council? Has it been formed with participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations in sight? I understand that enhancement measures in this field will be a part of the growth strategy. Could you tell us the Government's objectives and background?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We believe that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry and regional communities can be a long-term source of vitality. Therefore, with this in mind we believe that we need to achieve sustainable development in this field. Our basic stance is that we will broadly discuss truly bold measures and put them into action. The aging of agricultural communities is a major concern and it is an extremely severe situation. With this in mind, Cabinet is determined to make every effort for the development of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry. The Industrial Competitiveness Council has developed an understanding to seek agricultural, forestry and fisheries policies on the offensive. Our ultimate goal is for the entire nation to work to vitalize the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry and regional communities.

REPORTER: I believe that the Prime Minister has also used the phrase "agricultural policy on the offensive", however I understand that in the lead up to TPP negotiations there is still concern within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) regarding uncertainty over whether interests related to important items in agriculture and other areas can be surely secured. Could you share with us, as full scale negotiations are approaching, with what attitude you will enter negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: TPP negotiations have yet to begin, but during preliminary discussions between Japan and the U.S., we agreed that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry is special. When we consider the stable supply of food and national land conservation as we have said, we believe that the role of agriculture is extremely significant. Therefore we will enter negotiations with a strong determination to ensure those roles are maintained, that the agricultural industry of Japan is protected and the supply of food is assured. We believe that regardless of the outcome of TPP negotiations, the vitalization of agriculture in Japan is an extremely important task for the Government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe, we will position agriculture as a field of growth and convert agriculture into an appealing industry in which many young people desire to work by encouraging the production of agricultural products that will accelerate structural reform of the industry and by increasing the export of produce.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the relocation of Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. It has been reported that the LDP's manifesto for the upcoming House of Councillors election will not include relocation to Henoko. Am I right to understand that the Government also shares this policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not yet been informed of the details, but relocation to Henoko has already been decided by the party. Therefore we will work toward fulfilling that decision while remaining in compliance with the agreement between Japan and the U.S. to increase the deterrence capacity of Japan and to advance the return of land south of Kadena in order to contribute to the development of Okinawa. We have expressed this basic policy on a number of occasions. I understand that the party and the Government will, moving forward, be required to determine more specific measures, and I believe that this basic policy will remain the same.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding dialogue with North Korea. Specifically, I would like to ask about the method and timing of the next dialogue. Will the Prime Minister's Office continue to be responsible for the next dialogue with North Korea? Is it possible that the next dialogue with North Korea will take place before dialogue regarding the nuclear issue resumes?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan's policy toward North Korea is very clear. That is, Japan will attempt to comprehensively resolve the outstanding issues of concern such as the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. Furthermore, as for the abduction issue, ensuring the safety and the immediate return to Japan of all the abductees, obtaining a full account concerning the abductions, and realizing the handover of the perpetrators of the abductions form the basic stance we take in approaching matters concerning the abduction issue. Japan is addressing these issues based on this policy. It is a matter of diplomatic negotiation, therefore I cannot reveal any details as to if or when they may occur. However, I can say that the Government is determined to address the three issues, abduction, nuclear and missile issues with priority emphasis.

(Abridged)