Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The appointment of the Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved three general measures as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers; the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the presentation of certificates and commemorative gifts to 100-year-old senior citizens; the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning the appointment of heads of national university corporations; and Prime Minister Abe made statements concerning the appointment of the Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on an overseas visit.

I would like to speak on the appointment of the Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. We must maintain an overall understanding of the initiatives of the various ministries and agencies and we must coordinate the broader Government in the interest of ensuring smooth preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Therefore, as of today Minister Shimomura has been appointed the Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Q&As

• Preparations for hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games
• The situation in Syria
• North Korea
• A ministerial meeting on Okinawa-related issues
• The Imperial Household Agency's plan to re-establish a policy on the scope of the Imperial family's activities

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning Minister Shimomura, who was appointed the Minister for the Olympics. Could you share with us what his responsibilities will be, and your expectations for him?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Minister was appointed to be responsible for coordinating the administration of each Government department in order to ensure smooth preparations in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. We believe that we must ensure that the games, where athletes from across the globe compete, are the best possible event. I believe that the Organizing Committee will soon be established and will be responsible for preparing for the event. However, the Government will also be required to work on a number of tasks, including ensuring security during the event, immigration clearance, customs clearing and the redevelopment of national stadiums. Therefore, we must maintain an overall understanding of the initiatives of the various ministries and agencies and we must coordinate the broader Government. The new Minister will be responsible for this. I anticipate that the new Minister will ensure that we are fully prepared for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and that those preparations progress smoothly and as scheduled..

REPORTER: You mentioned the Paralympics but I understand that previously the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was responsible for the Paralympics. Am I right to understand that following today's appointment, the organization of the Paralympics will come under the responsibility of Minister Shimomura, meaning that responsibility will be transferred from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our idea is that the Minister in charge of the Olympics will be responsible for coordinating the various ministries and agencies. We seek to ensure that we have in place an appropriate administrative arrangement for this coordination as soon as possible and therefore we are currently working to transfer supervisory authority to the Minister after FY 2014 so that the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will be in charge of hosting the Tokyo Olympics, which includes both the Olympics and Paralympics.

REPORTER: What administrative structure will you put in place to support the Minister in charge of the Olympics?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The appointment was only made today and, with the understanding that it is necessary that all ministries and agencies be coordinated, we will put in place an organization that is able to provide strong support.

REPORTER: Am I correct to understand that when speaking about an organization capable of providing strong support for all the ministries and agencies you are referring to the prospective Sports Agency, which has been discussed recently.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are yet to go into any detail, however there have been appeals for the establishment of a sports agency and I believe that we will discuss the best way to provide support.

REPORTER: In relation to the situation in Syria, President al-Assad announced his intention to accept the placing of the regime's chemical weapons under international control. Furthermore, President al-Assad sent the documents required for the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention to the United Nations (UN). Could you share with us the Government's thoughts on Syria's response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you just mentioned, I have been informed that the Syrian Government has sent these documents to the UN and that the UN has accepted them. Japan will monitor the actions of the Syrian Government moving forward and whether the Syrian Government will act with sincerity. We will maintain close cooperation with the concerned countries and also keep a close eye on the discussions of the UN Security Council and the discussions between the U.S. and Russia. Whatever the case, Japan will strive to ensure that chemical weapons are never again used, by closely cooperating with concerned countries and the UN.

REPORTER: You just mentioned discussions between the U.S. and Russia and I understand that while the U.S. maintains readiness to launch a military strike, discussions on the Syrian issue between the U.S. and Russia are ongoing. Does the Japanese Government have any expectations regarding the development of these discussions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan had always hoped that the discussions by the UN Security Council and the discussions between the U.S. and Russia would take place and we believe that it is now important that Syria responds sincerely to the UN, the U.S. and Russia. Japan is currently making every effort to contribute to the resolution of this issue together with the concerned countries while monitoring these developments.

REPORTER: A U.S. research institution has announced the possibility that a graphite-moderated reactor at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center has been put back into operation. Could you share with us any information that the Japanese Government has at this stage?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are in possession of some information in relation to this but due to the nature of the topic I would like to refrain from going into any detail. However, I can say that Japan always closely monitors issues concerning North Korea.

REPORTER: I understand that a ministerial meeting involving ministers concerned with Okinawan issues was held earlier today. Could you share with us what was discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was reported that the Minister of Defense recently visited Okinawa, as did Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Yamamoto. It had been some time since such a visit had taken place and we all closely examined their report.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You recently made an official trip to Hokkaido for Ainu-related matters. A seminar to revive the Ainu language was held in Hokkaido and a Maori woman from New Zealand attending the seminar was denied entrance into a hot spring due to tattoos on her face. The woman commented that her tattoo is a symbol of her identity as a Maori and feels a deep sorrow. What is your frank opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand that entrance was denied following a decision made by the private establishment. However, we anticipate that many people from different countries will visit Japan for the 2020 Olympics and I believe that it is important that we advocate respect and understanding of different cultures. I believe that the recent incident was an opportunity to reflect on how we can accommodate visitors from different countries and that we must use this opportunity to help us develop appropriate measures.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Following the attendance of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado at the International Olympic Committee Session, the Imperial Household Agency announced a policy to once again establish the scope of the Imperial family's activities. Could you share with us the Government's view on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand that this decision was made at the discretion of the Imperial Household Agency, and in my position of Minister of State, who oversees the Imperial Household Agency, I am hoping the agency will re-establish their policy in the interests of ensuring the accessibility of the Imperial family, while examining the history of events to date. I would also like to hear the results of the discussions as they become available.