Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The comfort women issue

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The United Nations Committee against Torture issued a recommendation for Japan in relation to the issue of "comfort women" for the former Imperial Japanese Army. The recommendation urged the Japanese Government to counter any denial of the facts of the issue. I believe that today (June 18) [in response to a letter of questions by a Diet member] the Cabinet approved a written statement that says "recommendations do not have legal binding force and do not oblige signatory countries to comply." Am I correct to understand that the Japanese Government will not make a counterargument as urged by the committee?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have made clear the stance of the Japanese Government on this issue on many occasions during these press conferences. This is all I can say, and we have no intention of making any comments beyond today's Cabinet approved response statement.