Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue related to special intelligence protection bill
• The issue related to explosion in Shanxi Province and the car crash in Tiananmen Square in China

REPORTER: Starting today, the special intelligence protection bill will be deliberated at the Diet. Can you please explain your determinations or share any comments you may have on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are facing a situation in which the threat of intelligence leaks has really been increasing. In addition, intelligence sharing with foreign countries is conducted on the premise that the intelligence shared will be protected by the countries involved. In this context, we believe that it is critically important to develop legal regulations for special intelligence protection. Furthermore, intelligence is shared among government departments, and we deem that it is necessary to establish common rules regarding special intelligence protection in this respect. We also think it is essential to develop legal regulations for special intelligence protection to be able to effectively carry out the deliberations regarding the National Security Council, which is expected to be newly established and the bill for which is expected to be voted on at today's plenary session. Today, the process of explaining and deliberating the bill will at last start during the plenary session, and the Government will strive to realize the early passage of the bill.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: While I have asked this question on a number of occasions, I feel that concerns that the bill may lead to people losing their right to access information have still not been dispelled. How do you intend to explain this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Special intelligence entails intelligence concerning the security of Japan, for which there is also a special need to keep said intelligence confidential. We believe that protecting special intelligence is necessary in order to ensure the security of the people. At the same time, the people's right to access information is linked to the freedom of expression guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution, and we are of the view that this must be fully respected. In any case, we think it is necessary to apply this legislation while duly considering the balance between the need to protect intelligence and the Government's duty to explain its activities to the people.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Your comments suggest that limited information will be designated as special intelligence. However, some members of the Government have expressed the view that under the existing bill, 400,000 pieces of intelligence will fall under this category. 400,000 would mean that a considerable number of items would be designated as special intelligence. What is the Government's stance on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The process of explaining the proposal and deliberating the bill will start from today, so during the bill's deliberation we intend to provide a thorough explanation of the matter so as to be able to obtain the understanding of the people.

REPORTER: What are your thoughts regarding the 400,000 figure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this figure of 400,000.

REPORTER: Are you saying that the Government has not yet come out with such an opinion or estimate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe the Government has specified a figure of 400,000 as a premise.

REPORTER: Regarding the incident involving a series of explosions in Shanxi Province in China, you stated that Japan was requesting that the Chinese side provide information on the matter. Since then, have you obtained any new information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Embassy in China is currently requesting authorities in Shanxi Province to provide information. At this point in time, the information we have is that no Japanese nationals were affected by the incident. The Japanese Embassy in Beijing has sent out e-mail alerts to Japanese nationals residing in China. In addition, it gives out alerts through the local safety measures liaison council.

REPORTER: I have a related question. When you say e-mail, do you mean an alert e-mail?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, information is shared with the Japanese nationals in China. Alert e-mails are being sent out.

REPORTER: With a Communist Party building being the target of an attack following the incident in Tiananmen Square, there have been a series of incidents in China that appear to be anti-government incidents. How does the Japanese Government regard these incidents?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe Japan is not in a position to make any assertions regarding the background of the outbreak of these incidents. However, we will continue to closely monitor the social and security situation in China.

REPORTER: This may not be the appropriate way of phrasing this, but I think incidents like this hardly occur in Japan. Do you have any thoughts regarding the particularities of these incidents?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: So as I said, I believe Japan is not in a position to make any assertions regarding the background of the outbreak of these incidents. However, I consider it important that the Government closely monitor the situation.