Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to read out an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved five general measures and personnel decisions.

With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the "Minamata Convention on Mercury." Deputy Prime Minister Aso, Acting Prime Minister, made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits, among other matters.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Yamamoto made a statement concerning the selection of the recipients of the FY2013 Space Development and Application Award.

That is all from me.

Q&As

• The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
• The consumption tax
• The remarks of Parliamentary Secretary Koizumi regarding the restarting of operations of nuclear power stations.
• The Japan-Russia relationship
• The relationship between Japan and China, and Japan and the Republic of Korea
• The visit of Minister of Defense and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Okinawa for the meeting with the Governor
• The possibility of Prime Minister Abe's visit to Turkey at the end of October

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). I understand that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will be narrowing down the items for which it may be possible to eliminate tariffs. Are you of the view that this is not a violation of the party's public pledge, which has treated the five items as being worthy of sanctuary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Naturally, both the Government and the party recognize the importance of the agricultural industry. The Government's basic policy that we will protect those areas that should be protected and seek to gain what should be gained remains unchanged. House of Representatives member Nishikawa and LDP Secretary-General Ishiba have made comments in their capacities as LDP officials. In any case, the negotiations regarding tariffs and other issues will now be moving into full-swing. The Government will engage in these negotiations in close coordination with the party.

REPORTER: I understand that within the party, there is also the opinion that the people's understanding cannot be obtained if tariffs are eliminated from even some of the items. What is your view regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the five sensitive items, our party will engage in the negotiations based on the stance that we will protect those areas that should be protected and seek to gain what should be gained. Furthermore, each country has its own political issues. Under these circumstances, Japan will work with each country to achieve a comprehensive and a high-level agreement while giving considerations to the sensibilities of each country.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question once again regarding the consumption tax decision. It has been reported that during next year, the Government will make a decision about the tax increase to 10%, which is scheduled to take effect from October 2015. Can you please explain what the status of the considerations and the outlook are as of this moment in time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister has just made the decision on October 1 to raise the consumption tax from 5% to 8%. I am aware of the news reports. However, our basic view is that the decision regarding the consumption tax increase to 10% will be made in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with the provisions of the law. As the Prime Minister stated during his press conference on October 1, he will make the decision in an appropriate manner and at the appropriate timing. As of this moment in time, this is the kind of framework that the Government intends to follow.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the remarks made by Parliamentary Secretary Koizumi. In his address yesterday, Parliamentary Secretary Koizumi made a statement to the effect that there is a need to review the Government's policy regarding the restarting of operations of nuclear power stations. Can you please share with us your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the statements made by Parliamentary Secretary Koizumi. However, I understand that when he was questioned about former Prime Minister Koizumi's argument for zero nuclear power stations, the Parliamentary Secretary stated that he was a member of the Government and that he will abide by the policy of the Government.

In any case, the Government believes that its role is to implement a responsible energy policy, including from the perspectives of realizing a stable supply of energy and reducing energy costs. As Prime Minister Abe too has also been stating, the fundamental role of the Government is to examine this issue with a view to decreasing Japan's dependence on nuclear power stations as much as possible.

REPORTER: So the Parliamentary Secretary's statements are not in disagreement with the Government's policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have said, the Parliamentary Secretary stated during those same remarks that he is a member of the Government and he will abide by the policy of the Government. Therefore, I believe there is no problem.

REPORTER: A Japan-Russia summit meeting was held yesterday, which I believe was convened with a view to accelerating the territorial negotiations. However, while there is this impression on the one hand that trust between the two countries is deepening as this is the fourth meeting held during this year, this has not yet led to any concrete territorial negotiations. What are your evaluation and thoughts with regard to the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, this was the fourth summit meeting held during this year. I understand that the meeting was held in a very good atmosphere. I believe it is critically important for the two countries to forge trust between the leaders.

With regard to the issue of the conclusion of the peace treaty, the two sides have been exchanging views on the negotiations, bearing in mind the discussions held during the Japan-Russia summit meeting on the margin of the G20, in which the two leaders agreed to advance negotiations in a friendly and calm atmosphere. During the summit meeting in April, the Prime Minister expressed his view that vice minister-level consultations should be held promptly, to which President Putin responded that the two sides should also discuss this on the occasion of Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov's visit to Japan. Against this backdrop, the two sides have been holding discussions.

In any case, I believe the two sides will sit down and hold negotiations from here on based on the agreement reached between the two leaders to accelerate the negotiations.

REPORTER: I understand that President Putin made a request inviting Prime Minister Abe to attend the Sochi Olympics. I believe this is a fortuitous opportunity for Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Will the Government be considering this positively?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As there are various circumstances on the Japanese side, that is, as the Diet will be in session, we will make scheduling adjustments.

REPORTER: Regarding the relationship between Japan and China, and Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), it has been said that before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, Prime Minister Abe shook hands with President Xi Jinping and President Park Geun-hye of the ROK. Have you been briefed about what kind of conversations took place on those occasions? And if so, can you please tell us about the content of the conversations to the extent that you are able to?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been informed that the Prime Minister shook hands with the two leaders.

In any case, I believe it is a good thing for leaders to see each other face to face and to properly greet each other on numerous occasions.

In any case, the Japan-China relationship is critically important not only for the two countries but also for the peace and stability of Asia and the international community. Japan's door for dialogue is always open. With regard to the ROK as well, the ROK is an essential neighboring country with which we share common values, and therefore, the Government's stance remains unchanged that it will address matters from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: Concerning the possibility of future summit meetings with China and with the ROK, what is your view regarding the current distance between Japan and the two countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister has said that the distance is narrowing between Japan and the two countries. I share this feeling.

REPORTER: Regarding Japan and Russia, the leaders have already met four times this year, and I believe the relationship is a very good one. On the other hand, the meeting between the authorities of the two countries, which the Prime Minister has said he wanted to accelerate, has not made any progress since authorities met once in August. What is your take on this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, it is true that there is a large gap in the Japan-Russia relationship. Furthermore, this issue has remained unresolved even 68 years after the end of the war, and I believe the issue is not so simple that it can be resolved all at once.

However, in any case, the leaders have met four times this year, and they have deepened their mutual trust. It is under these circumstances that a vice-minister level meeting will be held and in future a minister-level meeting will be held. I believe it is critically important that we build on these meetings one by one.

REPORTER: Regarding the handshakes with the leaders of China and the ROK, the mere fact that the Japanese Prime Minister has shaken hands with the leaders of Japan's neighboring countries at a multilateral meeting becomes big news. This was covered not only by the Japanese media but also by the Chinese and ROK media. To put it the other way around, I believe the relationships have deteriorated. What do you consider as the primary cause of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan's position is clear. Our door for dialogue is always open. Both the ROK and China are critically important countries for Japan. In this context, precisely because the countries are close to each other, there are various issues between the countries. However, just because there are such issues, Japan has not refused to hold meetings and has always kept its door open while fully asserting the position of Japan.

REPORTER: Today, the Minister of Defense and the Minister for Foreign Affairs will visit Okinawa to meet with the Governor. Can you please explain what the purpose and aim of this meeting are?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The other day, a meeting of the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2) was held. This was the first time that a 2+2 Meeting was held in Japan with the two secretaries arriving from the U.S.

I believe one of the major reasons for today's meeting is to brief the Governor about the items which were placed on the agenda of the 2+2 Meeting, among other matters.

REPORTER: What do you mean exactly by items which were placed on the agenda, among other matters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: During the Japan-U.S. 2+2 Meeting, with regard to the issue of Okinawa, I believe Japan stated its assertions, and the U.S. expressed its views. I believe the two ministers will explain these matters to the Governor.

REPORTER: When Prime Minister Abe went to Turkey in May, Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey invited the Prime Minister to attend an opening ceremony for the Bosphorus Rail Tube Crossing scheduled for October 29, and I believe the Prime Minister responded that he would like to attend, schedule permitting. What is the status of the considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe it is just as the Prime Minister stated, which is that he would like to attend, schedule permitting. However, as the Diet will be in session, that is, as the Diet session will be beginning shortly, I believe the Prime Minister's schedule will be coordinated based on the schedule of the Diet. Nothing has been decided at this point in time.

(Abridged)