Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The ROK's high court ruling regarding compensation payments for forced wartime labour
• The trial of a suspect accused of injecting a pesticide info frozen "gyoza" dumplings in China
• The United States Senate's resolution relating to maritime security
• The election of the LDP's chairperson of the General Assembly of Party Members of the House of Councillors

REPORTER: A high court in the Republic of Korea (ROK) has issued a ruling that orders Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. to make per person compensation payments of 7 million yen to ROK nationals who were engaged in forced labor, after the case was handed back down to the high court by the appeal court. This is the second such ruling by a ROK court that orders a Japanese company to make compensation payments relating to post-war reparations. Can I ask for the Government's response to the ruling?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the content of the ruling that has been handed down is currently being analyzed, I would like to refrain from making any comment as the Government is not fully apprised of the details. However, what I would say is that the stance of the Government with regard to the issue of property and claims between Japan and the ROK is that under the provisions of the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation all such claims have been completely and conclusively settled. If the ruling on this occasion is at variance with the stance of the Government of Japan it would be something that we would not be able to accept. I believe that the stance of the Government of the ROK is also that all property and claims have been settled under the terms of the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation.

REPORTER: Are you saying, therefore, that it is the recognition of the governments of both Japan and the ROK that issues relating to property and claims have been settled?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That has been the stance of the two governments previously and I do not believe that this stance has changed.

REPORTER: The outcome of this case is perhaps something that is not entirely based on judicial processes. What do you consider to be the background to this outcome?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think that I am in a position to make any comment about the background to the outcome of the court case.

REPORTER: Is the outcome recognized to be primarily a response by the Government of the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Basically the stance of the Government of Japan is that the agreement I have mentioned was decided and approved by Japan and the ROK and if the ruling of the court is at variance with the content of that agreement it would not be acceptable.

REPORTER: In the previous ruling handed down against Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation you stated that while cooperating with the company the Government would continue to consider response measures. As these cases move forward, with Japanese companies in the position of defendant, what response does the Government intend to make?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was the case that a similar ruling was handed down against Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation. As I have already stated, the stance of the Government with regard to the issue of property and claims between Japan and the ROK is that under the provisions of the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation all such claims have been completely and conclusively settled. The Government has maintained a consistent stance and considers it to be important to continue to convey this stance to the ROK through diplomatic channels. I have also received a report that as of today, July 30, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation has concluded procedures to make a final appeal to the Supreme Court of the ROK.

REPORTER: In China today, the trial has opened of a person who is charged with injecting pesticide into frozen "gyoza" dumplings made in China, which subsequently sickened ten Japanese people. Apparently the defendant has pleaded guilty to the charges and apologized to those affected. What are your frank thoughts with regard to this incident, in which Japanese nationals came to harm?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the press reports concerning the trial today that you have mentioned, in which the person charged with the crime pleaded guilty to the charges and evidence was examined before the trial was concluded. As this case relates to the issue of food safety in Japan, the Government has consistently placed paramount importance on establishing the facts of the case. Although there were initially twists and turns in the case, the accused has now admitted the crimes with which he has been charged.

REPORTER: As you have noted, the Government placed highest importance on establishing the facts of the case, and yet it has taken a very long period of three years since the defendant was arrested and charged until the case has come to trial. Why do you think that it has taken so long? There are some who believe that against the backdrop of deteriorating Japan-China relations the Chinese side has deliberately taken its time in consideration of domestic opinion. What is your view on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this matter relates to the judicial processes of another country I would like to refrain from making any comment, but in common sense terms I believe that the time taken has been excessive. However, a date for a ruling to be handed down is likely to be stipulated in the coming days.

REPORTER: To put it another way, could you say that the Chinese side has shown consideration to Japan in bringing the case to trial, given that it was a matter of importance for Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I honestly don't know about that.

REPORTER: On July 29 the United States Senate unanimously adopted a resolution, with China in mind, condemning provocative actions in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands. Can I ask for your view on the adoption of this resolution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This resolution was initially adopted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 25, and I am given to understand that following some revisions to the draft resolution it was unanimously adopted by the Senate as a resolution relating to maritime security. The draft resolution adopted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee condemns actions that seek to alter the status quo by coercion or force in the maritime domains, and is also an expression by the Senate of the United States' strong commitment to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. As such, the Government of Japan highly evaluates the content of this resolution.

REPORTER: An election for the position of Chairperson of the General Assembly of Party Members of the House of Councillors of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been held and Mr. Kensei Mizote has been elected as chairperson. Can I ask for your reaction and expectations of Mr. Mizote?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A vote was implemented in the House of Councillors and Mr. Mizote was duly elected. I hope that under his leadership the LDP in the House of Councillors will coalesce into a strong organization. As the Diet will be convening shortly, we expect that Mr. Mizote will bring the LDP members of the House of Councillors together to engage in concerted efforts in Diet affairs.

REPORTER: I asked the same question this morning, but the election of the chairperson on this occasion was led by party factions and initially it appeared that Mr. Mizote would be elected unopposed, without a vote. However, ultimately a vote was held for the position. Can I ask for your views once again as you look back on the election process for the chairperson?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the recent House of Councillors election many new members were elected for the first time. In that sense I believe that it was good that the chairperson was selected in a vote.

REPORTER: Is that everything?

Cabinet Office staff member: Yes, thank you.