Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Council for the Promotion of the Reform of the Development System for the Legal Profession
• Appointment of the minister in charge of the development of the legal system concerning the protection of state secrets
• Prime Minister's plan to visit TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
• The World Heritage sites

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved three general measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Prime Minister Abe and I made statements, respectively, concerning the initiatives of the Council for the Promotion of the Reform of the Development System for the Legal Profession. The Minister of Justice made a statement concerning the initiatives of the Ministry of Justice pertaining to the Council for the Promotion of the Reform of the Development System for the Legal Profession. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning the development of a legal system for the protection of state secrets. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning the launch of the Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard.

At today's Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the Council for the Promotion of the Reform of the Development System for the Legal Profession, which will be comprised of relevant Cabinet members, will be convened to promote the reform of the development system for the legal profession in a comprehensive and robust manner. In addition, the first meeting of the Council was held following the Cabinet meeting. By July 2015, measures will be promoted and examined mainly under the Office for the Promotion of the Reform of the Development System for the Legal Profession, which was established at the Cabinet Secretariat to serve as the Council's secretariat. For more information, I ask that you ask your questions during the briefing by the Secretariat, which is scheduled to take place following this press conference.

Today, during the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abe stated that he has appointed Minister Mori to serve as the minister in charge of the development of the legal system concerning the protection of state secrets. Specifically, the Prime Minister instructed Minister Mori to work with relevant ministers with the aim of submitting a new bill to the next Diet session and passing this bill at an early date, in order to establish a system for appropriately protecting information concerning Japan's security, in particular, information that must be kept confidential.

I have an announcement regarding the Prime Minister's itinerary. On Thursday, the 19th, Prime Minister Abe will visit Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) as part of the Prime Minister's monthly visit to the disaster-afflicted area. At his destination, the Prime Minister is expected to observe the premises of the nuclear power station and confirm the progress of the contaminated water measures.

With regard to "Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki" and "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution in Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and Related Areas," the Council for Cultural Affairs and the Expert Committee on the Industrial Heritage including Operative Properties have evaluated that both sites are worth recommending for inscription on the World Heritage List, including their heritage value and preservation measures. Regarding which of the two proposals to recommend for inscription on the World Heritage List, the other day, after I have carefully listened to the Chair of the Council for Cultural Affairs, the head of the Expert Committee, and the ministries and agencies in charge, the Government has decided to make "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution in Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and Related Areas" as the recommendation candidate for this fiscal year. Both sites have their own inherent values, and it is difficult to determine which is better. The sites related to Meiji speak of the history which created what constitutes the foundations of Japan's development into a major manufacturing nation. A broad range of people have hopes for the sites, not only the local people, but also industry workers across regions. The sites are also highly appraised by overseas experts. "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" include sites in Kamaishi City, and the Government believes recommending these sites will contribute significantly to reconstruction support, which is Japan's top priority. Furthermore, the Government believes that the inscription of a major industry facility of a private company that is currently in operation, which would be unprecedented in the world, would present a new model for preserving cultural properties, and would meet the international expectations in this field. Bearing in mind these factors, the Government arrived at its decision. For more information, please direct your inquiries to the Secretariat for Promotion of Regional Revitalization of the Cabinet Secretariat.

Q&As

• The World Heritage sites
• The situation of the damage from Typhoon No.18
• The trade embargo for fishery products by the ROK
• Incidents involving JR Hokkaido
• Appointment of the minister in charge of the development of the legal system concerning the protection of state secrets
• The situation in Syria

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the World Heritage sites. You just explained the selection criteria. Will the churches which were not selected this time be recommended with priority next fiscal year or in later years? Or will they have to start from zero again? If you can please answer this first.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Council for Cultural Affairs decided to recommend the sites, and based on my own thoughts also, I understand that the sites have high value. But, in any case, I believe it is not appropriate for me to answer your question about next fiscal year at this moment in time.

REPORTER: I have one more question. Regarding the sites which were selected this time, the sites related to Meiji, as they include an operating facility, there are some concerns as to whether the sites will pass the screening of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). What are your thoughts regarding this? Also, I believe there are some opinions being voiced in Nagasaki that the preparations were further along the way for the churches. What is your response to these opinions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In response to your question, the decision to select the sites was made unanimously based on the understanding that the preparations at this stage were of a sufficient level for selection as a recommendation candidate. With regard to the current preparations, I too am aware that local municipalities have raised such opinions. I have been informed that the preparations for the industrial heritage in seven cities have made considerable progress, including a certain agreement already being reached among relevant parties regarding the preservation specifications which will be utilized. I do believe more detailed coordination needs to be made among the relevant parties. However, the Expert Committee also deemed that the sites have a sufficient level of preparations for recommendation for inscription on the World Heritage List. These factors were taken into account in arriving at the decision.

REPORTER: Can you please share your personal impressions, if you have any, regarding the two locations which were proposed for candidacy - well, I suppose if you combine them all, there are more than two. Have you made any private trips to them?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: To be honest, I have visited to an extent both Nagasaki as well as the industrial revolution sites which were selected this time, and I am familiar with them. In any case, I personally believe that both candidates are very much worth recommending for inscription on the World Heritage List. In spite of this, we had to select one or the other. As I stated moments ago, I personally believe the fact that the sites chosen created the history which constitutes the foundations for Japan's manufacturing base, as well as the fact that the sites include the sites in Kamaishi, a disaster-afflicted area, played a large part in the decision-making process. In addition, the major industry facility of a private company in operation will likely present a new model for the preservation of cultural property. Based on these three items I just mentioned, the Government arrived at its decision.

REPORTER: Can you tell us what the situation of the damages from Typhoon No.18 is, as far as the Government has been notified, and what responses the Government will be taking?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As a result of the large-scale Typhoon No.18, there were record rainfalls particularly in Fukui, Shiga, and Kyoto Prefectures, and a special alert was issued for the first time since its introduction. Flooding and landslides have occurred over a wide area. Information which has been confirmed so far is that there are many casualties and people injured, including three deaths and five missing persons. In addition, damages have been reported, including the flooding and total collapse of houses. I would like to once again express my condolences to those who passed away. At the same time, I would like to express my sincere sympathies to those who have been affected. The Government established an Information Liaison Office within the Crisis Management Center and has been taking initial responses, including the collection of information. Based on the instructions of the Prime Minister which were issued yesterday, the disaster response council of the relevant ministries and agencies is scheduled to convene a meeting today as well. The Government will continue to make concerted efforts to deal with the situation with a sense of urgency. Today, a Government investigation team headed by Parliamentary Secretary Kameoka will be dispatched to Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture. At the same time, Minister of Justice Tanigaki, Acting Minister of State for Disaster Management, will go to Kyoto and other areas today as part of the Government investigation team and respond to the situation. With regard to supports for the people affected, the Government will coordinate closely with relevant public organizations to take prompt responses based on the investigation of the damages, including the designation of "heavy disaster." As there is a high risk of river floods and landslides as a result of the heavy rains so far, I ask the people to please be careful.

REPORTER: I have a question on the trade embargo for fishery products implemented by the Republic of Korea (ROK). What is the Government currently doing to deal with this? Also, there have been news reports that the Japanese Government is considering taking the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Can you tell us whether the Government is making arrangements for such measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On the 16th, a senior official in charge from the Fisheries Agency visited the ROK, and had an opportunity to directly explain to relevant ROK Government authorities Japan's safety management measures, water contamination measures, and other relevant and up-to-date information. I have been briefed that the ROK side stated that it will review Japan's explanations and the content of the materials Japan provided, and did not demonstrate a position of immediately withdrawing the regulatory measure. The Government of Japan will continue to work hard in urging the ROK to swiftly withdraw the regulatory measure. The Japanese Government will continue to strive to provide accurate and prompt information and call on the ROK Government to remove the import restriction based on scientific grounds. At this moment in time, there is no truth to the reports that the Government has decided to bring the matter to the WTO.

REPORTER: You stated that the Government is making arrangements for the ROK to withdraw the restriction. If the ROK does not agree to withdraw the restriction, will the Japanese Government consider measures, including bringing the matter to the WTO?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the Government has provided all information to the ROK, and so we hope that it will decide to withdraw the restriction based on scientific grounds. I believe this is natural. Therefore, the Japanese Government will be strongly urging the ROK to withdraw the restriction.

REPORTER: As has been published in this morning's newspapers, it has come to light that a train conductor with JR Hokkaido smashed the Automatic Train Stop (ATS) switch with a hammer in order to conceal his mistake of setting off the emergency activation of ATS. Someone in a position of being responsible for people's lives has broken the safety apparatus in order to conceal his mistake. I believe this is a major problem. Since the start of this year, JR Hokkaido has had various problems and many accidents that call into question the morals of its employees. What has the Government been notified of, including with regard to this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The latest was not the only incident involving JR Hokkaido. There have been a series of incidents like this one involving JR Hokkaido. Under such circumstances, it is a given that JR Hokkaido would be strongly demanded to recover the trust of its passengers. Nevertheless, a completely inconceivable incident has occurred, and it is very deplorable. It is extremely important that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) continue to implement measures quickly to ensure safety at JR Hokkaido and strive to recover the trust of its passengers. Therefore, the current stance of the Government is to have MLIT give thorough and rigorous guidance to JR Hokkaido.

REPORTER: Regarding your announcement that a decision has been made at the Cabinet meeting to appoint Minister Mori as the minister in charge of protecting state secrets, can you once again explain what is the aim of this appointment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Minister Mori believes that this bill has various points of contention, including the scope of secrecy and punishment, and that this bill must fully respect people's right to access information and freedom of the press. In this context, it was decided to assign a minister in charge in order to examine this bill from a more specialized perspective before submitting it to the Diet. Given the nature of this bill, the Prime Minister deemed that Minister Mori, who is also a lawyer, is appropriate for the post of the minister in charge of the bill and decided on Minister Mori. The entire Cabinet will work as one in cooperating for the early submission of this bill.

REPORTER: The United Nations (UN) has released a report which concludes that the chemical weapon sarin was used in Syria. In the report, the UN does not make clear whether it was the Assad government or anti-government forces that used the sarin. What is your view regarding this report?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Based on the agreement reached between the U.S. and Russia on the 14th towards the dismantling of chemical weapons in Syria, Japan is closely following the discussions taking place at the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) regarding the specific tasks ahead, and whether or not there is a sincere response from the Syrian Government. Japan will continue to fully contribute to the efforts while cooperating with relevant countries and organizations to ensure that chemical weapons are never used again. The report of the inspectors does not determine who used chemical weapons. However, the report states that instructive analyses are being carried out to shed light on the facts regarding the use of rockets, and thus, we believe this needs to be examined. In any case, in this context, an agreement was sought at the U.S.-Russia foreign ministers' meeting. Therefore, in accordance with this agreement, the Government of Japan will strongly urge the Syrian Government to respond sincerely. Japan will fully contribute while supporting the efforts of relevant countries and organizations to ensure that such weapons are never used again.
(Abridged)