Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• Japan's Assistance for Typhoon damage in the central part of Philippines

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: According to the Government of the Philippines, Typhoon No. 30 has caused catastrophic damage in the central region of the country, with the number of affected people exceeding nine million. I would like to hereby express my condolences to the people in the affected areas in the Philippines. In light of this situation, yesterday, the Japanese Government dispatched an assessment team consisting of two personnel in total from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Philippines. The Japanese Government is also coordinating with the Philippine Government to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team by the end of today. Based on local needs and the request of the Philippine Government as well as other related matters, the Japanese Government will continue to extend as much support as possible.

Q&As

• The issue related to catastrophic damage caused by Typhoon No. 30 in the Philippines
• The issue related to the reconstruction of the Great East Japan Earthquake
• The issue related to the domestic production of defense armaments

REPORTER: I understand that around 100 Japanese nationals live on Leyte Island. Have you been able to confirm their safety?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As far as we are aware at this moment in time, we have not yet come into contact with information regarding any deaths or injuries of Japanese nationals. However, the situation remains that in many of the affected areas, including Leyte Island, telephone communications are difficult, and the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines is currently confirming the safety of Japanese nationals while keeping in contact with local authorities. 

REPORTER: Sorry, I have a related question. You stated that the JDR team will be dispatched as early as today. Could you please tell us about the members making up the team?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The medical team will form the core of the JDR dispatch.

REPORTER: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The medical team.

REPORTER: To confirm, if I may ask a related question, are you saying that Japanese Government personnel have not yet been able to enter the areas that have suffered extensive damage?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, yesterday, the Japanese Government dispatched two personnel. It is important to first coordinate with the Philippine Government, and therefore, we conveyed to the Philippine Government that the Japanese Government is ready to extend as much support as possible and have been making preparations to this end. However, as the Philippine Government had not yet been able to fully gauge the overall situation in the affected areas, we have sent Japanese personnel in the Philippines to these areas and they are now confirming the situation.

REPORTER: In that case, considering also that telephone communications are problematic right now, will it still take some time to confirm the safety of Japanese nationals?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes. The people we have been able to get in contact with were of course completely safe. However, there are also people we have not been able to get in contact with. The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines is working very hard to collect information.

REPORTER: I have a related question. While I'm sure it also depends on the request of the Philippine Government, at this moment roughly how large is the size of the JDR team at this moment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The medical team being dispatched today is comprised of 25 people.

REPORTER: Changing the subject slightly, I believe that soon, from 11:30 am today, you will be receiving a proposal from the members of the Headquarters for Accelerating Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). After receiving the proposal, how does the Government intend to incorporate the party's proposal and over what kind of a time span will this be done?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Including Headquarters Chairman Oshima, members of both the LDP and New Komeito Party will visit the Prime Minister. I will also be in attendance. It seems that there are a variety of individual proposals regarding the reconstruction from the earthquake and tsunami disaster. The Government will consider these proposals seriously and take steps to be able to firmly realize reconstruction. In any case, we first have to hold today's meeting before we can move forward.  

REPORTER: It has been reported that for the first time in around 40 years the Government will review a policy that has existed from when the Ministry of Defense used to be the Defense Agency, which advocated the domestic production of defense armaments. Is the report true, and if so, how do you intend to review the policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been briefed that such a discussion is taking place at the Ministry of Defense. However, I have not yet been briefed that a decision has been made regarding the review of the policy on domestic production. My understanding is that discussions are ongoing.