Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue related to the special intelligence protection bill
• The issue related to the Diet reform
• The issue related to the disaster in the Philippines
• The issue related to Japan-China relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about the special intelligence protection bill. This week, the ruling parties are arriving at a critical point in discussions with the opposition parties to revise the bill with the aim of getting the bill passed by the House of Representatives in the same week. The bill by the Democratic Party of Japan, which is also being presented, includes the content that limits the scope of the designation of intelligence. What is your view of the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand that currently, both the ruling and opposition parties are exchanging opinions in a constructive manner with a view toward revising the bill. Since this is presently still in progress, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual items on behalf of the Government. However, the Government's stance is that the special intelligence protection bill holds great importance in ensuring the safety of our country and of our people, and we hope to pass the bill into legislation as soon as possible with the understanding of the respective parties.

REPORTER: The day before yesterday, which was the weekend, at an impromptu interview conducted before Prime Minister Abe departed for an overseas visit, he commented that, with regard to the special intelligence protection bill, consideration was also being given to the establishment of a third-party organization. Is the Government now thinking about creating an external third-party organization to perform a supervisory function?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, this was a comment from the Prime Minister. As the ruling and opposition parties are currently right in the midst of discussions to revise the bill, I would like to refrain from commenting on the matter at this point in time.

REPORTER: I believe that you have previously expressed that a third-party organization is an issue to be considered in the future during the implementation stages but is there a possibility that this is already being dealt with in a flexible manner as part of the revisions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to this, as the ruling and opposition parties are currently right in the midst of discussions to revise the bill, I would like to avoid discussing individual items on behalf of the Government. I wish to continue observing the discussions between the ruling and opposition parties.

REPORTER: To repeat the last question, are the discussions to revise the bill being conducted with the inclusion of a third-party organization? Would this be a correct understanding of the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Various revisions are being proposed by the respective parties, and I think that the ruling parties and the Government are responding to each and every one of these revisions carefully. In any case, it is hoped that, based on the various discussions, it will be possible to produce a better system for all the Japanese people.

REPORTER: On a related note, the Japan Restoration Party is also asking for the establishment of a third-party organization. Did the Prime Minister make his comment in consideration of the Japan Restoration Party's request for a third-party organization?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think the comment was made with a specific party in mind. In any case, this revision is now being proposed by several parties. Under such circumstances, I hope that the proposals will be addressed in a firm and constructive manner in the discussions themselves.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Starting today, the ruling and opposition parties will commence deliberations about Diet reform. I believe the discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including relaxing rules on the Prime Minister's mandatory attendance, year-round Diet sessions, and the promotion of lawmaker-initiated legislation. What is the Government's vision for an ideal way to conduct these discussions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I think the Government would like to see constructive discussions take place. Diet reform is regarded as an issue of great importance in enabling Japan to maintain its position on the global playing field. This past Saturday and Sunday, the Prime Minister visited two countries, Laos and Cambodia. In both cases this marked the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister in 13 years. Prior to this visit, the Prime Minister had visited Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, which were the first visits by a Japanese Prime Minister in six years, six years, and eleven years respectively. In this sense, the leaders of Japan have not been very successful in summit diplomacy, while other countries have been engaged in summit diplomacy during this time. There have been previous media reports that the Prime Minister of Japan is required to attend Diet sessions for around 120 days; in the parliamentary cabinet system in the UK, which is said to be the birthplace of parliamentary democracy, this requirement was reported to be around 30 days. Furthermore, in Germany, which is currently experiencing the greatest economic development in the EU, this requirement was reported to be 11 days. In this sense, Diet reform is not for the ruling party and the Government; rather, it goes beyond the ruling and opposition parties, and concerns the national interests of Japan. Hence, we hope that this matter will be dealt with earnestly and seriously, extending beyond the barriers between the ruling and opposition parties, and that discussions are carried out in a constructive manner.

REPORTER: You have just mentioned summit diplomacy. With regard to relaxing the rules on the attendance of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, the opposition parties have criticized this move as an attempt to keep the Prime Minister behind the scenes. What are your views on this criticism by the opposition parties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is precisely the point that I have just explained - that Diet reform is not for the benefit of the Government. It reaches even beyond the opposition parties and concerns the national interests of Japan. As such, I would        appreciate it if we could discuss this seriously from such a perspective, and move the discussion forward in a constructive direction.

REPORTER: I apologize for raising this question each time, but if I may, with regard to the disaster in the Philippines, I would like to find out about the safety of the remaining Japanese nationals.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As things stand, we are currently continuing to exert our utmost efforts towards verifying the safety of Japanese citizens. To date, we have confirmed the safety of 102 Japanese nationals, but we have been unable to verify the safety of 31 other Japanese nationals. In addition, the medical team commenced medical aid activities in the city of Tacloban on November 15 and we have received reports that 340 victims had been treated yesterday. Furthermore, we also received reports that approximately ten members from the medical team belonging to the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) carried out medical aid activities at the same location on Leyte Island until November 17, while a separate seven members carried out medical aid activities and conducted a needs assessment in the northern part of Cebu. Additionally, with regard to vessels from the Self-Defense Forces as well as the Air Self-Defense Force, two C-130 transport aircraft had already arrived on the evening of November 15, and were scheduled to transport supplies starting today, on November 18. In addition, one supply vessel departed from Japan yesterday, on November 17, and is heading toward the disaster site, while one transport vessel and one escort vessel are also scheduled to head for the Philippines this morning.

REPORTER: With respect to Japan-China relations, starting today, the Japan-China Economic Association, Toyota's Mr. Cho, and Mr. Yonekura from Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), among others, will be visiting China. I think that much attention will be paid to whom they will meet. Could you tell us what you expect or anticipate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Expectations aside, we welcome the fact that a Japan-China economic cooperation mission led by the Honorary Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, Mr. Fujio Cho, is visiting China, and meetings will be held, primarily with the business community in China.