Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
• The international peace cooperation assignments in the Golan Heights and in Haiti

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved five general and other measures, the promulgation of legislation, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Mori and Minister Furuya made statements concerning the status of traffic-related accidents for FY2012 and the current status of traffic safety measures and also on the Plan for Traffic Safety Measures for FY2013. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Yamamoto made a statement concerning the passage of the so-called Government Chief Information Officer (CIO) Act.

Today, prior to the Cabinet meeting, a Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime was held. During the Ministerial Meeting, the "Basic Policy on Establishing a New Action Plan to Create a Crime-Resistant Society" was decided. Based on the Basic Policy, it was determined that the Ministerial Meeting will continue to promote comprehensive measures and begin to review measures for the establishment of a new Action Plan. In addition, a second set of comprehensive measures to eliminate child pornography was decided. Furthermore, reports were provided regarding the statuses of the efforts made by various working teams and others, including a presentation on excluding organized crime groups from recovery and reconstruction projects. Regarding the content of the Ministerial Meeting, the Secretariat will be giving a briefing after this, and so I encourage you to ask your questions then.

At today's Cabinet meeting, the results of the international peace cooperation assignment in the Golan Heights and the international peace cooperation assignment in Haiti were decided, and it was determined that the results would be reported to the Diet. In addition, I would like to explain about the expansion of the operation area of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for the South Sudan PKO. Based on requests received before from the United Nations (UN) to expand the SDF's current operation area, we coordinated with the UN, and as a result, it has come to light that there are needs, such as for the repair of major arterial roads and runways, among other work. Also, it was confirmed that there were no particular problems with regard to ensuring the safety of SDF personnel. Therefore, from the standpoint of offering further cooperation for the South Sudan PKO, Japan has decided to expand the SDF's operation area from Juba and the surrounding area to also include Eastern and Western Equatoria located in the southern part of South Sudan. Today, the Minister of Defense issued an order to this effect. Necessary preparations will begin to be made from June and beyond. For details, please ask the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters of the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defense.

Q&As

• The crash of an F-15 fighter of the U.S. forces near the main island of Okinawa
• The abduction issue

REPORTER: There is information that just before 9 am this morning, an F-15 fighter of the United States (U.S.) forces crashed in waters east of the main island of Okinawa. Can you verify the facts to the extent that the Government is aware?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have received an initial report. Regarding the details, I am aware that information is now being collected. At this point in time, I have been informed that there are no human injuries. That is all. I understand that the site of the crash was a training area.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, some media have reported that the Government's Headquarters for the Abduction Issue had questioned a former senior member of the North Korean military, and as a result, it has become known that Japanese people were abducted on the sea. Can you verify the facts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I learned about this through the media. I am not aware of the content that was reported.

REPORTER: You just stated that you learned about it through the media. I believe that was the Sankei Shimbun article. The subject in the article is the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue. Will you be hearing from the Headquarters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not been briefed, and therefore, I am not aware of the content. If there is such kind of important information, I believe it will no doubt be reported to me. There is always a close exchange of information.

(Abridged)