Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Mongolian President's official visit to North Korea.
• The comment of the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of China
• The mislabeling of food menus at hotels.
• The entrance of China Coast Guard vessels into Japanese territorial waters

(Abridged)

REPORTER: If I may change the subject slightly. I believe that from today, the President of Mongolia will pay an official visit to North Korea. To date, the Japanese Government has been seeking the Mongolian Government's cooperation towards the resolution of the issue of abductions by North Korea. Has the Mongolian Government contacted the Japanese Government regarding this or other matters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is a matter concerning another country, I believe I should refrain from commenting.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In the Japanese Government's view, how likely is it that the abduction issue will be raised at the meeting between the leaders of Mongolia and North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe the Mongolian President is well acquainted with the views of Japan. However, at this time, we have no idea whether this matter will be included in the meeting's agenda.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The other day, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of China commented to that if Japan does resort to such measures as the shooting down of unmanned Chinese aircraft that violate Japanese airspace, it would be a severe provocation to China and an act of war. What is the Japanese Government's reaction to this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The first of all, the view of Japan is that we will resolutely protect Japan's territorial land, waters, and airspace. If Japan's airspace is infringed upon, then naturally Self-Defense Force (SDF) aircraft would be scrambled in accordance with the Self-Defense Forces Act. In such an event, response would be in compliance with international law and the Self-Defense Forces Act. Japan is most certainly a country ruled by law, and Japan's compliance with international law is a matter of course. That is the view of Japan.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Since the start of this year, there have been a series of cases involving the mislabeling of food menus at hotels. These cases are said to be just the tip of the iceberg and are undermining food reliability. Currently, there are no clear criteria regarding menu descriptions, and I believe this problem has implications also for Japan's trustworthiness, considering, for example, 2020. What is your view regarding the need to take relevant legislative measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: From the perspective of consumer protection, I consider this situation to be an extremely grave problem. I have been briefed that the Consumer Affairs Agency is carrying out the necessary investigations, including conducting hearings with the relevant parties, regarding whether or not there were violations of the Premiums and Representation Act. I believe we will need to appropriately examine our response based on the findings of the investigations.

REPORTER: This morning, four vessels belonging to the China Coast Guard entered into Japanese territorial waters. Can you please  explain the fact situation and  the response of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At around 9:30 am today, four China Coast Guard vessels entered into Japanese territorial waters. I have been briefed that the vessels are still navigating within Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands. There is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law. It is very regrettable and deplorable that there have been multiple incidents involving the intrusion of Chinese government vessels into Japanese territorial waters. Through diplomatic channels, the Japanese Government is once again lodging a strong protest to the Chinese Government and demanding the swift withdrawal of the vessels from Japanese territorial waters.