Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The situation in Syria
• Prime Minister's plan to visit New York
• U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's comments about the understanding of history
• Japan-China relations

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the situation in Syria. President Obama of the United States has indicated that he will consult with allied countries about whether to embark on military action. Has the Government of Japan received any word from the United States about this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the response to the situation, as the Prime Minister noted in his press conference yesterday, the Government believes that there is an extremely high possibility that chemical weapons have been used in Syria. The use of chemical weapons is not permissible under any circumstances. Furthermore, responsibility for the deterioration of the situation in Syria clearly lies with the Assad government, which shows no regard for the worsening of the humanitarian situation. The Government of Japan will continue to cooperate with countries concerned and endeavor to realize an improvement in the situation. Against this backdrop the Government has not received any specific communications from the United States, but we are abreast of the various developments through exchanges of information with countries concerned.

REPORTER: In his comments yesterday Prime Minister Abe criticized the Assad administration in strong terms. From this criticism are we to assume that the Government of Japan is increasingly convinced that the administration in Syria resorted to the use of chemical weapons?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Since spring last year the Government of Japan has been consistent in its strong criticism of the security authorities in Syria for their oppression of the civilian population. Since spring last year the Government has stated that it is clear that President Al-Assad has lost the trust of the international community and given that he is not capable of governing the country justly, he should therefore cede power. In his comments yesterday the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government's stance, amidst concern for the significant deterioration in the situation in Syria, including the extremely high possibility that chemical weapons have been used.

REPORTER: So are you saying that the Government has not yet determined whether the Assad administration has employed the use of chemical weapons?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to that point the Government has received various items of specific information, but as they concern communication among countries concerned I would like to refrain from making any further comment.

REPORTER: On a related note, you have just mentioned that various items of information are being shared, so if it is the case that the United States implements an aerial strike on Syria, are we to understand that Japan will stand side by side with the United States, even if there has not been a resolution by the United Nations Security Council approving such a strike?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think that I am in a position to make any comment about future actions, but the response that will be made by countries concerned, including the United States, is currently under discussion. I would therefore like to refrain from making any comment about what, at the current point, is a hypothetical situation. However, as you have seen for yourself from the images of the humanitarian situation in Syria, it is one that has also embroiled many children, and therefore as information becomes available the Government will continue to make every effort to cooperate closely and seek to realize an improvement in the situation.

REPORTER: On a related note, a spokesperson of the United States State Department has indicated that even without the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council, the United States is prepared to embark on military action, or military intervention. What is Japan's position with regard to this stance by the United States? Is the Government in favor of, or against, such action?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the current point the question you ask is still hypothetical and therefore I would like to refrain from responding.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has issued a statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, noting that any military intervention in Syria would contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Do you believe yourself that military intervention in Syria would contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that various countries have been making statements from various perspectives, but I do not think that it is appropriate to respond to such a hypothetical question at the current time.

REPORTER: There are reports that when the Prime Minister visits New York at the end of September to attend the United Nations General Assembly, he will also deliver a speech in Wall Street concerning economic issues. Could you tell us the facts behind these reports and also, if such a speech is indeed going to be made, how will the Prime Minister seek to appeal to overseas investors?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is increasing global interest in "Abenomics." The Prime Minister has previously also given a speech in London and other locations. Regarding the possibility of a speech to economic figures in Wall Street, although nothing specific has as yet been decided, it is a fact that on the occasion of the Prime Minister's overseas visits there is a high demand for him to provide explanations about the current status of "Abenomics," and requests are received from the places he visits for such speeches to be made.

REPORTER: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has provided a clarification to Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsuyama, noting that his recent comments concerning his personal understanding of history were neutral in nature and not directed only at Japan. You had previously stated that you would seek confirmation about the intent of the Secretary-General's comments, so how do you view this clarification?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Following the recent comments by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and given the opportunity provided by an international conference being held in The Hague on August 28, I instructed Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister Matsuyama to ask the Secretary-General about the intent of his comments. As a result, I have received a report that Secretary-General Ban explained that his comments had not been directed only at Japan, and furthermore, given the importance of the three countries of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), it is important for the leaders of all three countries to thoroughly understand the background to past events and to work to overcome issues. He also stated that he was well aware of the stance of the Abe administration with regard to the understanding of history and also of Japan's efforts to date as a peace-loving country. In addition, in a press conference that was held in The Hague in the Netherlands, Secretary-General Ban explained in response to a question that his previous comments had been about all three countries, including also China and the ROK.

REPORTER: Will the Government be lodging a protest after confirming the intent of the Secretary-General's comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the intent of the comments was made clear in the explanation that I have just conveyed to you.

REPORTER: Now that you have confirmed the intent of the comments, are we to understand that you do not perceive them to be problematic?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that understanding is correct.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Japan-China relations. About one year has passed since the large-scale anti-Japanese demonstrations that took place in China last year. Since that time the number of Chinese nationals visiting Japan has decreased sharply and many Japanese companies in China are still feeling the effects of the demonstrations, with concerns about "China risk." Given a situation in which there are no current prospects for a Japan-China summit meeting, what are your thoughts about the current status of relations? How will the Government go about improving relations as we move forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The stance of the Government with regard to this issue is clear, and as I have stated on frequent occasions, Japan and China are neighboring countries that share an inseparable relationship in various areas. Accordingly, we bear a responsibility for the stability and development of Asia and the international community. The relationship between Japan and China is one of Japan's most important bilateral relationships and although we may face various individual issues, I believe it is important that we address these through regular communications. That is why our door is always open to dialogue and as the Prime Minister has noted, the Government always seeks to advance Japan-China relations, given our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.

REPORTER: Given that relations are currently encountering difficulties, what are your thoughts about the significant impact this is having on economic activities?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are various viewpoints on this issue and it is indeed true that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan is decreasing. However, if you look at the overall picture, there is a high possibility that this year tourist arrivals to Japan will surpass 10 million for the first time. In that sense I believe that Japan-China relations are of the utmost importance and while looking at the overall picture, as I have said before, Japan will continue to emphasize our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and always keep the door open to dialogue.