Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The abduction issue
• The misappropriation of the reconstruction budget
• Domestic and overseas communication concerning territory and sovereignty

REPORTER: I would like to ask about the plenary session of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida revealed during a doorstep interview in Brunei that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Korea remarked during the plenary session that the abduction issue has already been resolved. I understand that in response Mr. Kishida made a counterargument saying that the North Korean Minister's comments were not true. As the Abe Cabinet gives highest priority to resolution of the abduction issue, could you share with us how you view this comment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is a typical North Korean comment. Led by Prime Minister Abe's strong determination to resolve the abduction issue, we will make every effort in addressing this issue.

REPORTER: The Abe Cabinet has been taking a proactive approach to the abduction issue, such as Special Advisor to the Cabinet Iijima visiting North Korea. Do these comments by the North Korean Minister parallel the current official and non-official stance of the North Korean Government? That is, the stance that the abduction issue has been resolved.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you know, North Korea has consistently made comments similar to this. However, we have not at all changed our stance of making every effort to ensure that we can have the victims, or abductees, returned to Japan as soon as possible.

REPORTER: As you say, I agree that North Korea had maintained a consistent attitude over a long period, but more recently it seems to me that North Korea has stepped back from making claims to the international community that the abduction issue has already been resolved. Therefore, it appears to me that North Korea has returned to their original line.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that that is the case. North Korea has always maintained that the issue has been resolved.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the reconstruction budget that was revealed to have had funds misappropriated. In relation to the funds that were used for projects that have little or no connection to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Reconstruction Agency and the Ministry of Finance today demanded the respective municipalities and charitable organizations to return unused funds, which amount to approximately 101.7 billion yen, to the national Government. If you have any thoughts on this, could you please share them with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Funds originally allocated for reconstruction were misappropriated for use in areas other than the affected regions. Ever since the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito formed the Government we have conducted budgetary assessments of the FY 2012 supplementary budget and the FY 2013 initial budget to ensure that issues like this never occur again. The misappropriated funds are from the FY 2011 third supplementary budget and the FY 2012 initial budget, which were drafted by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). If I may add more, there is also the problem that when the DPJ Government reviewed the budget in November last year, the misappropriation of funds to areas outside of the affected areas, although discovered, was left unresolved. In light of this, it is extremely regrettable that the reconstruction budget was used in areas other than the affected region. The Abe Cabinet conducted an investigation together with the Reconstruction Agency and the Ministry of Finance and, as much as possible, has been trying to prevent the spending of reconstruction budget funds in areas other than those affected by the earthquake. Today's decision was resultant from these efforts.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the report by the Advisory Council on Domestic and Overseas Communication concerning Territory and Sovereignty, which is expected to be finalized later this afternoon. I believe that Minister Yamamoto will announce the details of the report, but could you share with us what the Government believes is the significance of ensuring that its stance on the territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is already well communicated in Japan, is well communicated overseas, particularly in the U.S., the UK and other English speaking countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am scheduled to hear the details from Minister Yamamoto after which an announcement will be made. I cannot comment on the details of the report prior to the announcement but I believe that in the current situation, where Japan's territorial integrity and sovereignty is being challenged, effective communication both domestically and internationally is extremely important in ensuring the national interests of Japan. I believe that the report will present us with very valuable recommendations. Regardless, we would like to take appropriate action following the report while consulting the Prime Minister and working in cooperation with relevant ministers.