Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet Meeting
• The 8th meeting of the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization
• The 3rd meeting of the Ministerial Committee for the system to Nurture the Legal Profession

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved three general measures as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the 2013 White Paper on Information and Communications in Japan and Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on an overseas visit.

In ministerial discussions, Minister Furuya made a statement concerning the visit to Mongolia.

Today we held the eighth meeting of the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization. In relation to the growth strategy, the Japan Revitalization Strategy was approved by Cabinet on June 14. The Prime Minister stated that we must begin preparations for the next stage of the growth strategy. The Prime Minister gave all relevant Cabinet members two instructions; to swiftly put into action the promises made to the nation under the Japan Revitalization Strategy and explore the possibility of advancing the scheduled implementation, and to ensure that each policy has substance. For more information, please direct any queries to the Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Amari.

Following today's Cabinet meeting, the third meeting of the Ministerial Committee for the System to Nurture the Legal Profession was held. In view of the importance of the various issues concerning the system to develop the legal profession, we have held review sessions on the system which the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Senior Vice Ministers from related ministries and agencies, and various experts have attended to discuss the matter. Earlier we also asked the participants to express their opinions the fields in which qualified legal professionals are allowed to practice, the number of people expected to be in the legal profession in the future, and the system to develop the legal profession. They were also asked to express how they believe these topics should be discussed in the future. In response, during the Ministerial Meeting, the Implementation of Legal Profession Development System Reforms, which outlines the details and the timing of measures to be taken, was approved. The Secretariat is planning to give a briefing in relation to the details of this, so please direct any questions you may have to the Secretariat.

Q&As

• The House of Councillors election
• Prime Minister's visit to Okinawa
• The abduction issue
• TEPCO's land purchase
• The TPP

REPORTER: During Ministerial discussions, did the Prime Minister make any comments in relation to the House of Councillors election?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: He did not make any specific comments in relation to the election.

REPORTER: I believe that the Prime Minister will soon visit Okinawa. As announced, the so-called local manifesto of Okinawa states that they are against the relocation to Henoko and that they seek relocation to a location outside of Okinawa. On the other hand, I believe that the Abe Government intends to seek a relocation to Henoko, which is directly contradictory to the public pledge of the Okinawa chapter of the LDP. Does the Government have any concern that the Prime Minister's visit of Okinawa to deliver a speech at this time when he maintains a policy directly opposed to the desires of the Okinawan LDP chapter may cause confusion for the Okinawan people?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that different regional cities have different opinions, but it all comes down to the public pledge of the party and I therefore believe that the Prime Minister will deliver a speech in keeping with party policy.

REPORTER: If the Prime Minister visits Okinawa and wins the election, I believe that it would mean that the policy of the Abe Government will have gained some public support. Could you share with us your thoughts on pursuing the policy after that?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The only thing we have in mind at the moment is to win the election, so we have been making every effort to communicate our policies throughout Japan.

REPORTER: What impact do you believe an electoral victory will have on the relocation of the Futenma Air Station itself?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: From the Prime Minister's perspective, the position of the Government remains the same regardless of where he visits. Therefore, I believe that he will keep his public pledge in line with party policy.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question. I believe that the Prime Minister will also visit Ishigaki Island while he is in Okinawa, which is where many Japan Coast Guard and police officers who are working on the front line of the Senkaku Island issue are based. Given that China has been active in the region, am I right to understand the Prime Minister's visit is to some degree designed to put China on the back foot?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think you might be over-thinking the Prime Minister's motivations. It may be a remote island but it is still an electoral district. Other Prime Ministers have visited remote islands to show support in the lead up to an election, and in some ways, Okinawa is one of the most important districts for us in the upcoming election. Therefore, the Prime Minister will visit the island to thoroughly communicate the Government's views to the locals.

REPORTER: It has been reported that Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue Furuya will visit Vietnam on July 26. Could you provide us with the facts and if the reports are correct, could you tell us of the purpose for the visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No specific plans have been confirmed for Minister Furuya to make any overseas visits. In fact, we are only currently making arrangements. However, it is true that we have been cooperating with relevant nations in taking every possible measure to resolve the abduction issue.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that for the House of Councillors election, Okinawa is a particularly important district and is expected to be hard-fought. Could you share with us the measures on which the Government will place an emphasis and where it will focus its pledges in Okinawa?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will focus on reducing the burden placed on Okinawa by the military bases and, in line with the wishes of Okinawans, the early return of facilities south of Kadena. Furthermore, we will also place emphasis on the revitalization of the Okinawan economy. Naturally, we will communicate our policies while duly considering the desires of Okinawans.

REPORTER: Returning to the topic of Minister Furuya, you said earlier that during today's ministerial discussions there was a report on a visit to Mongolia. Could you share with us exactly what was reported?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I ask that you direct any questions you may have to Minister Furuya but for now I can say that he presented an overview of his visit. His report was simply the normal administrative procedure.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a related topic. You earlier said that the Government intends to cooperate with relevant nations to resolve the abduction issue. Am I right to understand that the recent visit to Mongolia was a part of these efforts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have been exploring all possibilities and making every effort on this issue with a determination to resolve the abduction issue while Prime Minister Abe is in office.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: One of the articles of the front page of this morning's Asahi Shimbun revealed that the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) had Nishimatsu Construction pay 200 million yen out of its slush fund on behalf of TEPCO to purchase land for the construction of interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture. I believe that this may affect the nuclear fuel cycle project. Could you tell us if TEPCO has informed the Government of this incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I am aware of this report. The acquisition of land itself was conducted privately. Therefore the Government is unable to make any comment. However, I believe that it is extremely important that we continue the strict assessment of electricity prices.

REPORTER: Am I then right to understand that for now the Government has no intention of communicating with the former president of TEPCO, Mr. Shimizu, or order TEPCO to investigate the matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have no plans to pursue those courses of action.

REPORTER: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiation meeting began yesterday in Malaysia and I understand that Japan will join negotiations for the first time on July 23. Could you once again explain to us with what attitude Japan will enter negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will devote our utmost efforts to the negotiations for the sake of Japan's national interest.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. In addition to Japan joining the negotiations late, it is expected that Japan will be urged to abolish agricultural tariffs such as those on rice or beef. Am I right to understand that Japan will still remain firm in its position?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The negotiation will be all about negotiating through the opposing national interests of the various countries. We have experience in this and intend to devote our utmost efforts to the negotiations for the sake of Japan's national interest with the basic stance of protecting that which we must protect and being aggressive in areas in which we need to be strong.