Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• U.S. government's data-collection from the perspective of countering terrorism
• A case of sexual assault that occurred within the U.S forces in Japan
• The U.S.-China summit meeting (in relation to the Senkaku Islands)
• Osprey training exercises
• Constitutional revision
• The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the leaking of classified information in the United States. In this morning's press conference you stated that this was something that should not occur and that the Government as a whole will engage in a process of review. I would like to confirm two points concerning your earlier statement, firstly did you mean that the methods employed by the United States Government were impermissible, and secondly, in specific terms what will the Government of Japan be seeking to review?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to your first question, it is the case that up to now the United States has been engaged in legally countenanced measures from the perspective of countering terrorism. That is the explanation that has been provided by the United States Government. What I was referring to in my statement about this issue was that if it is the case that any illegal actions have occurred, these would be impermissible. That point is something that I want to make clear. Separate from the case of the United States, in many ways, information security has for some time been a real issue for the Government of Japan and I would like you to understand that what I stated this morning was that the Government is dedicated to strengthening its current stance and measures, through a process of review.

REPORTER: So you are referring to the management of information within Government bodies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Information security is an incredibly important issue and one to which the Government seeks to respond once more.

REPORTER: You have just referred hypothetically to a case in which illegal actions occurred, but do you consider that there is any possibility that in diplomatic communications between Japan and the United States such illegally acquired information has been provided?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was merely referring to a hypothetical case in which illegal actions occurred, as this is a matter that is being reported on a great deal in the press at the moment.

REPORTER: I apologize for presenting a hypothetical question, but given that Japan and the United States are alliance partners, I imagine that there are times when Japan receives information, including classified information, from the United States. If it is the case that illegal acts have taken place, although Japan would not be an accomplice to such acts, there would be a plausible possibility that Japan has received information that the United States has acquired through such acts. Does the Government perceive this to be an issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, my belief is that the information that Japan has received from the United States has been acquired through lawful means.

REPORTER: Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany (ok) stated that she would raise this issue with President Obama of the United States. Does Prime Minister Abe have any plans to raise this issue with the president when he has an opportunity to talk with him at the upcoming G8 Summit, for example?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government does not believe it to be necessary to raise this issue.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the suspension of the commander of the U.S. forces in Japan, concerning his supervisory responsibility with regard to a case of sexual assault that occurred within the U.S. forces. According to the Stars and Stripes newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces, it has been reported that the victim of the sexual assault was a female Japanese secretary stationed at Camp Zama. Could you tell us the facts of this case as the Government of Japan understands them? In addition, it would appear that the victim has also complained to Japanese authorities, so could you tell us the facts behind this complaint and what will be the response of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is not aware of the facts relating to this case. I understand that the U.S. Armed Forces are currently engaged in an investigation.

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to demand specific information about the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The case is currently being investigated by the United States, so the Government will wait for the results of that investigation.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the U.S.-China summit meeting. There are press reports that suggest that President Xi Jinping of China indicated to President Obama that the Senkaku Islands are a "core interest" for China. Is the Government aware of such a statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making individual comments concerning bilateral negotiations that have taken place between China and the United States. However, as I have stated previously, the Government cannot accept the words and actions of China based on their own unique assertions regarding the Senkaku Islands, and whatever statements may be made by China, they will have absolutely no influence on the Government's stance. In addition, with regard to the U.S.-China summit meeting, the Government understands that there was no statement from China that directly linked the Senkaku Islands to core interests.

REPORTER: I believe that a report on the U.S-China summit meeting will have been provided by the United States through diplomatic channels. Could you tell us to the extent that it is possible to do so what discussions actually took place with regard to the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government maintains close cooperation with the United States, but I would like to refrain from commenting about specific matters that are dealt with through this cooperative process. The Government understands that there was no statement from China that directly linked the Senkaku Islands to core interests.

REPORTER: Has the Government to date made any requests to the United States to make a public announcement supporting its stance that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan? Or are there any plans to make such a request in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has used all opportunities to make clear its stance to the United States Government, and the United States Government has demonstrated its understanding of our stance. Indeed, Secretary of State Kerry has formally acknowledged that the Senkaku Islands are covered by Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

REPORTER: You have just stated that it is the Government's understanding that there was no statement from China in the U.S.-China summit meeting that directly linked the Senkaku Islands to core interests. Was this fact explained by the United States Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Thanks to the close cooperation between Japan and the United States this is something that the Government is aware of.

REPORTER: I understand that a report on the U.S.-China summit meeting has been provided through diplomatic channels. However, did this involve any interactions between senior officials of the governments of Japan and the United States to report and confirm the contents of the summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The information shared is naturally a part of the close cooperation between the United States and Japan.

REPORTER: To the extent that it is possible to do so, could you tell us between whom there has been interaction in the Japanese and United States governments following the U.S.-China summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Given the nature of this matter I would like to refrain from making any specific comment. The interactions that have taken place are part of the close cooperation we share with the United States.

REPORTER: From now Governor Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture is scheduled to present requests relating to the U.S. base issue. Are there any plans during the meeting for you or the Prime Minister to discuss the issue of using Yao Airport in Osaka Prefecture for flight training exercises [of the Osprey aircraft]?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, there are no such plans.

REPORTER: With regard to amendment of the Constitution, in an interview conducted with a monthly journal, the Prime Minister has stated that there is a draft plan within the Liberal Democratic Party to amend Article 96, leaving in a requirement for a two-thirds majority to approve matters relating to pacifist principles and human-rights related matters, and changing the requirement to a one-half majority for matters relating to governing structures, which implies the possibility of such a draft proposal being tabled. What are your thoughts about the possibility of such a proposal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is a fact that there are various opinions within the party, and it is this fact that I believe that the Prime Minister touched on. However, the concept of the LDP concerning the Constitution has been made clear in our election pledges for the previous House of Representatives election, and it is those pledges that represent the basic stance of the party. However, as various political parties are involved, it is likely that a variety of proposals will be forthcoming in the course of discussions.

REPORTER: I believe that the concept, as it currently stands, for the draft proposal for amendment of Article 96 of the Constitution is to make approval of all items that have been raised by the LDP require a one-half majority. However is this something that the Government is not going to insist upon?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the Prime Minister noted that there are various opinions about constitutional amendment, but the party's concept has been set forth in the pledges for the previous House of Representatives election. When it comes to the actual specific work of amending the Constitution, this is not something that the LDP can do alone and it will be an issue that is taken forward through discussions among various other parties and parliamentary groups.

REPORTER: With regard to the first question about the collection of information by the United States, you have spoken in terms of such collection being legal or not, and if it is not then it would not be permissible. Are we to understand that you are referring to United States law when you talk about this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that is what I am talking about. There are such laws in the United States and the explanations provided have been based on such laws. On the other hand, if actions that are unlawful have been implemented, that would not be permissible. The people who are raising this issue have been pointing out that the actions by the United States are unlawful.

REPORTER: Today the draft bills relating to the stipulation of domestic procedures under the provisions of the Hague Convention [on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction] were passed by the Diet. Can I ask for the Government's reaction to the passage of these bills?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today the draft bills were unanimously passed by the House of Councillors. At the time of the Prime Minister's visit to the United States in February, he pledged to President Obama that efforts would be made to achieve the passage of the Hague Convention and related bills in the Diet. Accordingly, the Government sincerely welcomes the passage of the bills today, following a process of Diet deliberation. Now that approval has been gained from both houses, preparations to implement the convention will now be implemented in earnest.

REPORTER: When is it expected that the convention will enter into force in Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In terms of specific preparations from now, it will be necessary to stipulate new operational bylaws relating to the implementation of the convention, including the formulation of a ministerial ordinance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the formulation of rules of the Supreme Court. At the same time it will also be necessary to ensure a period during which the public can be informed and made aware of the content of the convention. This is the basic concept for work from now and the Government hopes that it will be possible to achieve the entry into force of the convention at the earliest during this fiscal year.