Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• LDP's public pledge on Okinawa issue

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On the same topic of the public pledge, this time regarding the public pledge of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), I believe that the public pledge no doubt mentions Henoko with regard to Futenma in Okinawa. I am talking about the public pledge of the party headquarters. On the other hand, the Okinawa chapter of the LDP will issue what is more like a local manifesto, which takes the completely opposite position. This matter has been ambiguously settled, with the party headquarters saying that it will not accept this manifesto as a local version of the public pledge. In theory, the administration and the candidates it officially endorses are asserting very different pledges, which I believe makes it very difficult for voters to understand. What is your view regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our public pledge is to promote the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago City pursuant to the Japan-U.S. agreement, and furthermore, to steadily promote the realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan, in order to reduce the burden of bases, while listening carefully to the opinions of local people, including those in Okinawa. This is the public pledge of the party headquarters. With regard to the Okinawan LDP chapter not necessarily pursuing the same vision, the party headquarters is now coordinating this under the leadership of the Secretary-General.

(Abridged)