Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The consumption tax
• French newspaper Le Canard Enchainé's cartoon linking the Tokyo Olympics and the nuclear accident
• Relations with China and the ROK

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the consumption tax. It has been reported by some news agencies that Prime Minister Abe has cemented the plan to raise the consumption tax to 8% in April of next year. Can you please comment and also verify the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is no truth to the reports that the Prime Minister has decided to raise the consumption tax. The Prime Minister will take a careful look at various economic indicators, and the Prime Minister himself will make a decision early next month. If the consumption tax is increased, then sufficient measures are needed for dealing with the economic impact. In this light, during the ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting on the 10th, the Prime Minister instructed that an economic policy package be compiled. The size and content of the package will be decided going forward under the leadership of Minister Amari and Minister Aso. These are the facts.

REPORTER: I have a related question. If the Prime Minister did give such instructions during the ministerial discussions on the 10th, then I would think that logically, this implies that the consumption tax increase and the economic package are a set. You are saying that this is not the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was also there during the discussions with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister stated that taking into account various circumstances, he will make a decision in a responsible manner in early October. Therefore, I believe the understanding that the Prime Minister has cemented the plan is contrary to the truth.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A French weekly newspaper has published a cartoon showing people with multiple arms and legs, linking the Tokyo Olympics and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. Can you please share your thoughts on this? Will the Government be taking any kind of responses?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that such a cartoon has been published. Cartoons like this one are inappropriate in that they are very hurtful to those who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and give an erroneous impression of the contaminated water issue at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. It is very regrettable. Accordingly, the Japanese Embassy in France will lodge a protest to Le Canard Enchainé. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been instructed to give full explanations of the situation and to continue to take suitable measures to ensure that inappropriate reports are not made regarding Japan.

REPORTER: Mr. Nikai, Acting Chairman of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, gave a speech in which he said that Prime Minister Abe's presentation to the International Olympic Committee was outstanding, but also criticized the Prime Minister wishing that he would direct even half of this outstanding passion towards China and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Can you please briefly comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have been dealing with the situation relating to China and the ROK from an objective and broad standpoint, protecting those areas that should be protected and asserting what should be asserted. Therefore, I believe such remarks have absolutely no valid basis.

(Abridged)