Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The overview of the Cabinet meeting
• 2013 Autumn Conferment of Decorations, Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, and Conferment of Medals of Honour, and the FY2013 Order of Culture
• The special intelligence protection bill

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 30 general and other measures, draft bills, a cabinet order, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the consumer price index. I made a statement concerning the 2013 Autumn Conferment of Decorations, Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, and Conferment of Medals of Honour, and the FY2013 Order of Culture.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Furuya made a statement concerning the Government's response to Typhoon No. 26 and Typhoon No.27.

The recipients of the 2013 Autumn Conferment of Decorations, Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, and Conferment of Medals of Honour, and the FY2013 Order of Culture were decided at today's Cabinet meeting. The recipients will be announced on this coming November 3. The total number of recipients and the recipients by medal are as stated in the material distributed to you. For details, please contact Decoration Bureau of the Cabinet Office.

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the Security Council convened a meeting. On the agenda of today's meeting was the special intelligence protection bill. The bill was approved by the Security Council following deliberations. At the Cabinet meeting that followed, the special intelligence protection bill was approved by the Cabinet. The threat of intelligence leaks has been increasing. Furthermore, intelligence sharing between countries is carried out on the premise that the intelligence will be protected by each country. Bearing these circumstances in mind, we recognize that the development of a legal system for special intelligence protection is an urgent issue. In addition, we understand that the development of a legal system for special intelligence protection is critical for further enhancing the effectiveness of the functions of the National Security Council (NSC) that will be newly established. As a result of reviewing the various points of contention, while fully respecting the rights of the people, such as the people's right to access information and freedom of the press, the Government will submit the bill to the Diet as early as today having obtained the Cabinet's approval today. We will strive to pass the bill at an early date.

Q&As

• The special intelligence protection bill
• The U.S Vice President Biden's visit to Japan

REPORTER: My question concerns the Cabinet decision on the special intelligence protection bill which you just spoke about. In the lead up to the Cabinet decision, the ruling parties struggled until the very last moment to coordinate on the consideration for the right to access information and freedom of the press. Even then, there are still concerns that information will not be disclosed to the people. How does the Government intend to guarantee that information will be disclosed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I am sure you are all aware, while media reports have come out whenever there have been new developments, it is our intention in the bill to uphold and fully ensure freedom of the press and the right to access information. The bill was approved by the Cabinet today and will now be submitted to the Diet for deliberations. Over the course of this process, we will ensure that any such anxieties will be removed.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. As the general public will not even know what information will be designated as "special intelligence," some have expressed the view that an external organization needs to be established and employed to check whether or not each and every decision is appropriate. At this point in time, what is your view regarding this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Ministers and other heads of administrative agencies will make this designation, and will do so only with regard to those items that fall under the items in a specific enumeration in the annexed table of the special intelligence protection act. I believe that the designations will be made according to criteria that reflect the opinions of external experts.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Concerns have also emerged that reporters or even the general public may become subject to investigations under the special intelligence protection bill. For example, I am a reporter. Is there a chance that I may also become subject to such investigations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The standard press activities of the media will not be subject to punishment. This has also been made clear by the Supreme Court ruling on the past case involving the leak of intelligence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In light of such rulings, I believe the bill specifies that sufficient consideration must be given to freedom of the press and freedom of press coverage, and in this context, makes clear that these activities will not be subject to punishment.

REPORTER: Returning to the incident involving the Chinese vessel which was near the Senkaku Islands, at that time, the general public did not know what actions the Chinese vessel had really taken because the administration at the time did not release the materials. However, because the video of the incident was leaked, the events were revealed to the public. The fact that the Prime Minister specifically mentioned this as an example during the Diet session - does this mean that if this incident had occurred during the Abe administration and the special intelligence protection act had been in place, then this information would have been treated as special intelligence? Is my understanding correct?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, the designation will be limited to items falling under those items in the specific enumeration in the annexed table. I believe this will be done in accordance with criteria that reflect the opinions of external experts.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to some news reports, Vice President Biden of the U.S. will visit Japan in December. While I believe arrangements are currently being made between the Japanese and U.S. Governments, can you please explain the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Vice President Biden has long made it clear that he wishes to visit Japan. I am aware of this. However, nothing concrete has been decided at this point in time. Japan and the U.S. maintain various levels of communication. Furthermore, the U.S. has its own matters to take into consideration. Therefore, I would like to refrain from speaking on this matter.