Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Recorded rainfall in Yamaguchi and Shimane Prefectures
• Japan-ROK relations
• Japan-North Korea relations
• Japan-China relations
• The opinion poll conducted by FNN

REPORTER: Record rainfall was recorded in Yamaguchi and Shimane Prefectures causing significant damage. Could you tell us how the Government will respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As far as the Government is aware, the heavy rains over the weekend, particularly in Yamaguchi and Shimane Prefectures, have caused the death of one person, while two others are missing. As for infrastructure damage, there have been reports of two houses being completely destroyed.

There are a number of areas where roads have been damaged to the point of being impassable and the Government is currently attempting to assess the situation in detail to determine the damage. I would like to offer my heartfelt prayers for the repose of the individual who lost their life and I would also like to express my sympathies to those who have been affected.

Yesterday, Sunday July 28, the Government held a Director-level disaster management meeting involving relevant ministries and agencies. As a result of the meeting, yesterday we confirmed that we will strive to identify the extent of the damage and prevent further damage from being caused.

Furthermore, the Government survey team headed by Cabinet Office Senior Vice-Minister for Disaster Management Nishimura will be dispatched late this afternoon to Yamaguchi and Shimane Prefectures in order to assess the extent of the damage and to identify the response measures required. Another disaster management meeting involving relevant ministries and agencies is scheduled to be held from 1 pm today. The Government will continue to be vigilant, work as one and do everything within its power to assist those affected. This is the Government's mandate.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. If you know when the survey team headed by Senior Vice-Minister Nishimura will be leaving for the affected areas and who the team will consist of could you please inform us on the matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been informed that the team will be dispatched late this afternoon. I have also been informed that officials from relevant ministries and agencies in charge of disaster response will accompany the Senior Vice-Minister.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning Japan-ROK relations. Yesterday, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) played a match in the East Asian Cup, which Japan won 2-1, winning the overall championship for the first time. This is something to celebrate, however ROK supporters displayed a very large banner reading, "There is no future for a nation that has forgotten history," which was directed at Japanese supporters. This may have violated FIFA regulations banning political statements during soccer matches and has therefore become controversial. How does the Government view this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, FIFA prohibits political statements from being made at soccer matches and the Government is currently confirming the facts. It is, however, extremely regretful that such a banner was displayed at the East Asian Cup, an international tournament.

We are currently confirming the facts of the incident with FIFA and the Japan Football Association (JFA). Therefore, after we have determined the facts we would like to respond appropriately as per FIFA regulations.

REPORTER: Via what means are you confirming the facts of the incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Currently, the JFA is investigating exactly what happened bearing in mind FIFA regulations.

REPORTER: It has been revealed that critic Oh Seon-hwa, who is a Japanese national, was denied entry into the ROK. Could you tell us what the Government's thoughts are regarding the ROK Government's actions? Could you also tell us if you have been informed of the facts of the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of this media report. However, under international law, generally speaking, the granting of entry permission to a foreign national is at the discretion of the sovereign power of the respective nation. If Ms. Oh Seon-hwa was in fact denied entry based on her ideology, it is extremely regrettable that a Japanese citizen was treated in this way by the ROK Government.

REPORTER: Have you been informed that her entry was denied because of her ideology?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I have not been informed of this. It is only the media that is saying that she was denied entry based on her ideology and the Government is currently attempting to determine the facts and respond in an appropriate manner.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It has been reported that Antonio Inoki met with senior North Korean officials. Could you share with us how you view this? Also, could you tell us if the Government has knowledge of the details of the meeting and if not, does the Government have plans to investigate what took place?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Japanese Government is currently discouraging Japanese nationals from traveling to North Korea and we also advised that Mr. Inoki cancel his trip. Nonetheless, Mr. Inoki decided to visit North Korea and as such the Government is indeed aware of the trip; however we have no further information about the visit.

REPORTER: Could you tell us if the Government has any intention to investigate the trip? Also, given that it is likely that Mr. Inoki will visit North Korea again in the future; could you share with us your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will not investigate what took place during Mr. Inoki's visit. However, the Government is currently discouraging travel to North Korea and although this advice does not have binding power, if Mr. Inoki plans to visit North Korea again, the Government will once again advise him to cancel his trip.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Japan-China relations. I believe that Vice Minister Saiki of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will visit China today. Could you inform us of the objective of this visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Vice Minister Saiki will be in China on July 29 and 30 and will exchange views with Chinese Government officials. I believe that the Vice Minister will be exchanging views of Japan-China relations overall. I would like to hear from the Vice Minister upon his return.

REPORTER: While the Prime Minister was on an overseas trip he expressed his desire to hold a Japan-China summit meeting as soon as possible. Am I right to understand that Mr. Saiki's visit is hoped to lead to this kind of a meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister always says, Japan and China are both responsible for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community. In light of this, the Prime Minister has consistently said that the Government always keeps its door open to dialogue with China in order to advance our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. It is imperative that both Japan and China engage in open discussions, and as such, the Prime Minister has instructed the diplomatic authority to seek dialogue. However, as of today, we do not yet have any plans.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Mr. Iijima also visited China and met with those officials close to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. Am I right to assume that his visit had something to do with Vice Minister Saiki's visit, that is, did Mr. Iijima's visit pave the way for Vice Minister Saiki?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that the two visits were related. Special Advisor to the Cabinet Iijima has his own network of contacts, and I understand that his visit was arranged through this network.

REPORTER: Have you received a report from Special Advisor to the Cabinet Iijima since his return?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes I have.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The opinion poll conducted by FNN over the weekend indicated that public support for the Government increased 1.7% this month and is now 57.8%. Could you share with us how you view the results of this poll, which was taken after the recent election? Also, more than 70% of respondents said that they are pleased that the contortions caused by the divide between the upper and the lower house have been eliminated, and nearly 70% said that they would prefer the present situation to continue. After hearing these results, could you share with us your thoughts on your handling of the Government and Diet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: High public support is preferable to low support, but regardless of the level of public support, we will maintain our stance of remaining humble and steadily addressing challenges one by one without delay.

You just stated that many are pleased that the divide between the upper and the lower house has been eliminated and we feel that we now have greater responsibility in running the Government. I believe that the result was reflective of public opinion that the divide had to be resolved so that the political system could address citizens' needs as soon as possible. Therefore, we will prepare ourselves to be ready to address each issue.

(Abridged)