Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Advisory Panel on National Security and Defense Capabilities
• The cyber attacks targeting ministries
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
• The issue of comfort women

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the Advisory Panel on National Security and Defense Capabilities' meeting held this morning. I understand that it was agreed, or perhaps some panel members pointed out the need for a revision of the Three Principles on Arms Exports. Could you tell us if the Government has any intention of incorporating the revision of the three principles into the National Security Strategy and the new National Defense Program Guidelines?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I have been informed that various opinions, including those you mentioned, were brought up during the Advisory Panel meeting. However, in any case, discussions are still very much in progress and therefore we would like to keep a close eye on the development of the debates of the experts.

REPORTER: One of the members said that the revision of the three principles undertaken by the Noda Cabinet does not meet the needs of today. As Chief Cabinet Secretary of the current administration, what problems do you recognize as having surfaced?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have no knowledge of specific individual opinions expressed during the meeting. Regardless, I believe that I, along with other Cabinet members, will have the opportunity to attend future meetings of the Advisory Panel. Thus, we will examine developments while considering the opinions expressed at the meetings. As I said, I believe the discussions are still very much in progress.

REPORTER: This afternoon's paper reported that cyber attacks targeting the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs occurred between August and September. What knowledge does the Government have of these attacks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, on behalf of the Government, the Cabinet Secretariat has been promoting awareness among ministries and agencies of the importance of appropriate management of their respective websites to ensure that they are not exploited and do not spread malware when visited. For more details on damage caused by such cyber attacks, please contact the National Information Security Center. We are currently investigating the immediate damage caused to governmental agencies and the implications and therefore I must refrain from commenting any further for now.

REPORTER: Am I right to understand that the Government has confirmed that there were indeed organized attacks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently in the process of confirming this and I believe that the details of the abnormalities experienced are also being confirmed.

REPORTER: In relation to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, today when conversing with accompanying journalists in Indonesia, Prime Minister Abe emphasized that he will protect national interests as much as possible, but at the same time also said he has to ensure that negotiations remain well-balanced. What is meant by well-balanced negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been informed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko over the phone that the Prime Minister made this comment. I have also been informed that as part of his remarks, the Prime Minister also said that, although the focus of negotiations has been centered on market access for goods, comprehensive and well-balanced discussions should be held, covering extensive areas including services, investment and intellectual property, in addition to goods. The Prime Minister also said that the role of the TPP, an economic integration agreement for the 21st century, is to facilitate free movement of people, goods, and capital by developing common rules. In any case, I believe that he used the expression "well-balanced" with these ideas in mind.

REPORTER: In relation to the issue of comfort women, according to an article published by a Japanese newspaper, last year the Governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan came a little closer to reaching agreement on the issue. There has since been a change in Government. Does the current Government intend to reinitiate plans to take action to help reach a solution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the media report that the previous administration commenced negotiations. I however believe that no specific discussions were held. Therefore, no initiatives have been passed onto the current administration. The stance of ours, the Government, on this issue is as I have stated at a number of press conferences.

REPORTER: Do you mean that the Government takes the stance that the issue is closed from a legal perspective?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, that is not correct, our stance is as I have stated at these press conferences.