Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• French newspaper Le Canard Enchainé's cartoon linking the Tokyo Olympics and the nuclear accident
• Japan-ROK relations
• World Heritage Site
• The greenhouse gas emission reduction target for COP19

REPORTER: In relation to the cartoons published by the French newspaper Le Canard Enchainé, which were discussed during this morning's press conference, you expressed your intention to lodge a protest this morning. I would like to ask if you have already lodged the protest and could you also share with us how the Government is going to respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Due to the time difference, I believe that the protest has not been lodged yet. I believe that it is currently around 9 am in France. We will make a strong protest and provide an appropriate explanation. 

REPORTER: Media outlets in the Republic of Korea (ROK) have reported that a Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting is being arranged to take place during the General Assembly of the United Nations. Could you inform us of the facts if you have any information on the matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At present, I have no knowledge of these arrangements.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning World Heritage Sites. Could you tell us when you are going to decide whether the Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki or sites of Japan's industrial revolution will be nominated as candidates this year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday I heard from the specialists from each of the sites for the first time. I am hoping that a decision can be made in the not too distant future.

REPORTER: Do you have any time frame in mind? Will a decision be made before the end of the week?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am hoping that a decision will be made soon.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question on the same topic. I understand that there are two candidates, so could you tell us on what you will place most emphasis when selecting a candidate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday I heard from individuals associated with each of the sites, including those responsible for evaluating the candidate sites. The more I heard from each of the parties the more I understood why they were being considered. However I will look at the sites objectively from a number of perspectives before making a final decision that is best for Japan. I must admit, however, that after hearing from both sites it seems to me that both are worthy candidates.

REPORTER: There has been a media report suggesting that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has effectively given up on drawing up the LDP's own views on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target for COP19. Does the Prime Minister's Office have any intention to set a numerical target before the next COP19?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I believe that the current 25% reduction target is unrealistic from anyone's perspective. As such, the Abe Cabinet intends to conduct a zero-based review. I understand that there have been a number of discussions within the party on this topic, but I have been informed that no decision has been made by the party, nor has a final draft of any kind been drawn up. The Government has begun discussions on anti-global warming measures but they are still in progress and we are yet to develop any policies.

(Abridged)