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Monday, June 3, 2013 (PM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
- The understanding of history
- The Nikkei Stock Average
REPORTER: With regard to the issue of the understanding of history, at an international conference in Singapore last Saturday, Minister of Defense Onodera expressed feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology. He also pointed out that the series of comments made by mayor of Osaka Toru Hashimoto had caused misunderstanding and mistrust among neighboring countries and were not the views of the Abe Cabinet. Participants at the conference from the United States and China welcomed these comments. Are we to understand that what was said by the Minister of Defense is based precisely on the stance of the Abe Administration?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that is the case. The comments made in the speech given by the Minister of Defense at the Shangri-La Dialogue are based on responses that Prime Minister Abe and I have made in Diet questions. I believe that Minister Onodera was explaining to the participants from the various countries that the Abe Administration will take the same position of previous cabinets with regard to the understanding of Japan's history.
REPORTER: Does the Government intend to use the forum of international conferences in the future to actively put forward its stance with regard to historical issues, as a means of gaining the understanding of the international community?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If it is necessary to do so, then I believe that would naturally be the case.
(Abridged)
REPORTER: Today share prices fell steeply, with the Nikkei Stock Average tumbling by more than 500 yen, the third-largest fall this year. What is the reaction of the Government?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have said on frequent occasions, I feel that the stock market is experiencing a period of adjustment. However, in the little over five months since the inauguration of the Abe Cabinet the stock market has risen by approximately 60 percent and therefore I think that it is only natural that there would be such a period of adjustment. In terms of future direction, there is no change to the Government's resolve to make every effort to steadily and surely implement the three prongs of economic revitalization with a sense of speed.
(Abridged)
