Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Live ammunition drills in Hokkaido by U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa
• ROK-North Korea relations
• The ceremony for Memorial Day for the War Dead in Okinawa
• The controversy in the U.S. regarding intelligence agencies collecting personal information

(Abridged)

REPORTER: During live ammunition drills of U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa held at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido yesterday, shells missed the targeted location and landed on state-owned land outside of the maneuver area. There were no casualties, however there are growing concerns among local residents. How will the Government respond to this event?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been informed that because the U.S. Marines were unable to confirm the landing of the ammunition fired at 9:38 am yesterday, they halted the drill and later confirmed that the ammunition had landed on state-owned land, 500 meters outside of the maneuver area. We are currently investigating possible damage, but thus far there have been no confirmed casualties. The Ministry of Defense has asked the U.S. to swiftly investigate the matter and disclose their findings to us. The U.S. military will suspend live ammunition drills until the cause of the accident has been identified and appropriate safety measures have been taken.

REPORTER: Please let me ask another question. Does the Government have any intention of taking action of any kind, for instance lodging a protest?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, the Ministry of Defense has asked the U.S. to swiftly investigate the matter and disclose their findings to us. We understand that we must work to identify the cause of the accident while cooperating with the U.S. Military.

REPORTER: I believe that these drills took place in Hokkaido as part of efforts to take military exercises outside of Okinawa. In terms of initiatives to reduce the burden placed on Okinawa, recently it has been suggested that Yao Airport be used for Osprey training exercises. Do you believe that yesterday's event has any influence on the efforts to move military exercises outside of Okinawa?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Exercises like this are taking place in Okinawa, but other prefectures across Japan must try to understand the situation Okinawa is in and offer to host drills in order to reduce the burden placed on Okinawa. However, our main priority is safety, so first of all we will make every effort to identify the cause of the accident.

REPORTER: The meeting between authorities of the Republic of Korea and North Korea scheduled to commence today has been canceled on short notice. Could you share with us the Japanese Government's thoughts on this lost opportunity for the North and South to hold talks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that it has been reported that according to the announcement made by the ROK Government, the meeting between the authorities of the Republic of Korea and North Korea scheduled to commence on June 12 in Seoul has been canceled due to differing opinions on the level of participants of the meeting. Japan has great interest in and has kept close tabs on this meeting between North Korea and the Republic of Korea. We believe that it is necessary that the development of the relationship between North Korea and the Republic of Korea leads to the denuclearization of North Korea and resolution of other outstanding issues. However, I do not know any details at this moment, so I cannot make any further comments.

REPORTER: It has been reported that Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Minister of Defense Onodera in addition to Prime Minister Abe, will attend the ceremony for Memorial Day for the War Dead in Okinawa. Could you please provide us with the facts, and if they are attending the ceremony could you also tell us the objectives of their attendance?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As for the two ministers, we are strongly hoping that they will be able to attend the ceremony if circumstances permit. However, we are still exploring this possibility at the moment. With regard to the Memorial Day for the War Dead, the fundamental approach of the Abe administration is to recognize the dedication of our predecessors in overcoming various adversities and work to address various issues, including reducing the burden of U.S. bases, while bearing in mind the sentiments of the people of Okinawa. We are currently exploring the possibility of attending the ceremony bearing these things in mind. Naturally, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is also exploring this possibility.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question relates to the U.S. There has been much controversy in the U.S. regarding intelligence agencies collecting personal information online and tracking telephone records. What are the Japanese Government's views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not been informed of any details, but something like this should not occur. Therefore, the Japanese Government will conduct a thorough examination to ensure that this is not occurring in Japan.

REPORTER: Please let me ask another question. When you say "something like this" do you mean that a nation should not be collecting personal information from the internet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not know of the details of the incident, however if that was the case, I naturally believe that something like that should not happen.