Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The relocation of the aerial refueling aircraft from Futenma Air Station to Iwakuni Air Base
• The issue related to special intelligence
• The Fukushima reconstruction acceleration plan
• The car crash and fire in Tiananmen Square in China

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that the Government intends to relocate the aerial refueling aircraft currently deployed to Futenma Air Station to Iwakuni Air Base in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2014. What is the aim behind this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not yet aware of the details on this matter.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Under the administration of the Democratic Party of Japan, there was an incident involving a collision with a Chinese fishing vessel near the Senkaku Islands. Has the Abe administration ever compiled an opinion that the leaked video does not fall under "special intelligence"?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, we have not. It is up to the heads of the administrative agencies that handle the intelligence in question to determine whether certain intelligence should be designated as special intelligence. Regarding whether or not the particular video you just noted falls under special intelligence, it is difficult for us to make any definitive statements as we were not in charge of the government at that time.

However, on that premise, I would say that it is hard to imagine any particular need to keep the video confidential.

REPORTER: Concerning media reports related to the Fukushima reconstruction acceleration draft proposal that the Government and ruling parties are considering, it has been reported that under this  proposal compensation payments would be extensive to ensure that evacuees from "areas where it is expected that the residents have difficulties in returning for a long time" have housing at their relocation destinations. What is your view regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We understand that the party, under the leadership of Chairman Oshima of the Headquarters for Accelerating Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake, is currently holding earnest discussions on the topic of Fukushima's reconstruction and revitalization.

In this context, a conclusion has not yet been reached - neither as a party, nor the Government. I believe it is important that the Government closely monitor the discussions of the party and take its proposals seriously, and that the Government and ruling parties work together on this.

REPORTER: In 2020, the Tokyo Olympics will be held. Some observers believe that the return of residents to their hometowns should be completed by 2020, including relocations. What is your own view regarding this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated, the Government will closely monitor the party's discussions, and if proposals are made, the Government and the party will work together on them.

However, currently, there are some evacuees who are not yet able to decide whether or not to return to their hometowns. To make this decision, we believe they need information, such as radiation projections, as well as specific outlooks regarding the future of their communities. Therefore, we believe it is important that the Government provide people with the information they need to make their decisions, as quickly as possible, and the Government is taking steps to this end.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the car crash and fire in Tiananmen Square in China, it seems that Chinese investigators are looking into the possible involvement of people from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who harbored grievances with the Chinese Government. Has the Japanese Government received any reports regarding the status of the investigation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As a Japanese national was also among those injured, through diplomatic channels we are requesting information from the Chinese authorities regarding the background and situation surrounding the incident.

REPORTER: So the facts have not yet been notified to you?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not yet received the details. However, as a Japanese national was among those injured, we, as a nation, are naturally requesting information regarding the background and the situation in which this incident took place.