Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The media report regarding the U.S intelligence agency's tapping
• The National Security Bureau
• The report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security
• The numeric number of long-term goal for annual additional radiation exposure
• The possibility of lifting ban on casinos
• The letter from Ms. Hillary Clinton

REPORTER: It has been reported that the U.S. intelligence agency was tapping the mobile phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Could you tell us the Government's thoughts on this? I would also like to ask if you believe that the Japanese Government's information security measures are well prepared.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of these media reports, but I do not know any further details, therefore I will refrain from commenting any further. However, the Japanese Government has taken the necessary measures to ensure information security to date, and we will continue to take a thorough approach.

REPORTER: Is Prime Minister's Abe's mobile phone secure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe there is no problem at all.

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to confirm via diplomatic routes that the U.S. was indeed tapping the mobile phone of Chancellor Merkel?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We do not intend to do so. As you know, however, there were media reports that the U.S. intelligence agency was logging the telephone calls of diplomatic missions abroad. Japan has been seeking confirmation of this via diplomatic routes with the U.S. side.

REPORTER: Have you received any response to your inquiries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are presently communicating with the U.S. I cannot, however, elaborate any further due to the nature of the topic.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question with regard to the scale and divisions of the prospective National Security Bureau, which will serve as the secretariat of the National Security Council (NSC). Some media have reported that the agency will employ approximately 50 staff split into six divisions, for example, some of which will be responsible for allies and friendly countries, while other divisions will be responsible for China or North Korea. Could you please confirm the facts? What decisions have you made thus far?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you all know, we have entrusted the bill for the establishment of the Japanese version of the NSC to the Diet, and we are making every effort to ensure swift enactment of the bill. The Government is currently engaged in thorough discussions to determine the structure, scale, and other details of the organization.

REPORTER: You just confirmed that the Government is currently engaged in discussions, but is an organizational size of 50 people split into six divisions one of the things that you are discussing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently having discussions and we will disclose the details during the course of Diet deliberations.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security. In relation to the report by the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security, some media have reported that arrangements are being made with the possibility of postponing, until next year, the finalization of the report. Could you once again share with us the time frame you have in mind for the submission of the report?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of these media reports, but completion of the Advisory Panel's report is dependent on the progress of Diet deliberations on legislative bills, as well as a variety of other factors.

REPORTER: You said that it is dependent on the state of a number of other things, so am I then right to understand that depending on the situation, you do not have any problem postponing the completion of the report until next year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is not a matter of whether or not we do not have any problem postponing the report, it is a matter of when we are able to have it completed. Therefore, we are trying to get a handle on the situation.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In response to the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority yesterday commented, in relation to the Government's long term goal of keeping annual additional radiation exposure below 1 mSv through decontamination, that there is a general view that 20 mSv of annual additional radiation exposure should be acceptable. Could you tell us if the Government has any intention of reviewing the current long-term goal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, in relation to the comments by the Chairman (of the Nuclear Regulation Authority), I understand that he was referring to a general view that internationally it is acceptable for individual countries to set their own standards within the range of 1 to 20 mSv depending on the situation. The Government does not intend to alter the long-term goal of keeping annual additional radiation exposure below 1 mSv. Regardless, the Government will steadily work in unity to complete decontamination while meeting the needs of the local residents.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A cross-party group is preparing to submit to Diet a bill on the development of a resort complex that includes lifting the ban on casinos. Given that the Prime Minister is serving as head advisor to this group, foreign casino and gaming industries as well as investors have been showing a lot of interest. Could you share with us if there is anything the Government expects from this development from the perspective of attracting foreign investment and tourism?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware, through the media and other sources, that the cross-party group is currently preparing the bill. There has been strong demand for building casinos in Japan in the interest of promoting Japan as a tourism nation. However, I understand that there are a number of challenges that the Government as a whole must discuss, such as the prevention of crime and the maintenance of public order, before we can determine how best to proceed.

REPORTER: This is also something that has been reported by parts of the media, but according to reports, Ms. Hillary Clinton sent a letter to Prime Minister Abe. Could you confirm the veracity of these reports and could you also share with us any details that you are able to divulge regarding the contents of the letter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I can confirm that Prime Minister Abe did receive a letter from former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As for the details of the letter, to summarize, I have been informed that she expressed support for Prime Minister Abe's initiatives to create "a society in which women shine," a matter that the Prime Minister has recently spoken about on a number of occasions, including at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

REPORTER: Roughly when did the Prime Minister receive this letter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that it was after the Prime Minister's address to the UN General Assembly. (Secretary: "It was October 1.") The letter was delivered on October 1.