Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting

I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 10 general measures and the promulgation of legislation, as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Mori made a statement concerning the FY2012 Food Education Promotion Policy and the Food Education Month; Minister Shimomura and Prime Minister Abe each made statements concerning the third proposal from the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, "The Future of University Education and Other Aspects of Education;" the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the labor force survey, consumer price index and the household budget survey; the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the national ratio of jobs to applicants for April 2013; the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to the heads of independent administrative agencies; and Prime Minister Abe made a statement about a temporary acting Prime Minister during his overseas visit.

Q&As

• The Abduction issue
• Prime Minister's overseas visit

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the abduction issue. Minister in Charge of the Abduction Issue Keiji Furuya has recently stated in a press conference that he intends to implement a reinvestigation of maritime accidents that occurred in waters surrounding Japan during the period from 1970 to 1980, with a view to resolving the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea. I didn't fully understand the content of the minister's press conference, so I would like to ask; on the basis of what information does the Government intend to engage in this reinvestigation and what is its aim?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that it would be best to ask Minister Furuya about this matter. However, with regard to the Government stance on persons who could potentially have been abducted, given that it is the Government's responsibility to defend the lives and assets of the public, I believe that it is only natural for a reinvestigation to be implemented of possible cases of abduction.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the Prime Minister's upcoming overseas visit there have been some press reports to suggest that to coincide with his attendance at the G8 Summit in June, the Government has decided that the Prime Minister will also make a visit to the Republic of Ireland. What is the status of arrangements for this visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The details of the Prime Minister's overseas visit in June have yet to be finalized.

REPORTER: You have just stated that details have not been finalized, however, if the Prime Minister does make a visit to Ireland it will be the first visit by a Japanese prime minister. Can we understand that consideration is being given to such a visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Nothing has yet been decided.

(Abridged)