Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-ROK relations
• The issue related to the relocation of Futenma Air Station,
• The issue related to the special intelligence protection bill
• The dinner meeting of Prime Minister Abe and the U.S. Ambassador Kennedy

REPORTER: In this morning's press conference you referred to Ahn Jung-geun as a "criminal". A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has responded by stating that if Japan thought about what kind of person Hirobumi Ito was during Japan's imperialistic and militaristic era and what Japan did to its neighboring countries, such a statement from the Chief Cabinet Secretary would be unthinkable. The spokesperson expressed strong regret with regard to the statement and has called for Japan to reflect humbly and directly on its history. Can I ask for your reaction to this response from the ROK Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that it was a rather excessive reaction. I believe that all I stated in a straightforward manner was Japan's existing stance on the matter.

REPORTER: Looking from Japan's perspective, I believe that the term "criminal" would be used, as the person in question assassinated Hirobumi Ito, who was Japan's first Prime Minister. What do you think the ROK Government means by stating that Japan should reflect humbly and directly on its history?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, all I stated, in a straightforward manner, was no more and no less than Japan's existing stance on this matter.

REPORTER: On a related note, although you have used the term "criminal" in relation to this matter, Some people who point out that as the person in question assassinated someone who had served as Japan's Prime Minister, the term "terrorist" should rather be used. Is the Government's view on this matter to use the term "criminal"?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have stated the existing stance of the Government on this matter.

REPORTER: That the person was a "criminal"?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes.

REPORTER: In this morning's press conference, you stated that the building of a memorial to Ahn Jung-geun would not be good for Japan-ROK relations. Is it the Government's intention to use diplomatic channels to clearly convey this message to the Government of the ROK, or to the Government of China, which is the country where the memorial will be located?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Government has consistently conveyed Japan's stance on this matter to the ROK, what I stated in this morning's press conference was that it would be good for neither Japan nor the ROK when viewed from the perspective of Japan-ROK relations.

REPORTER: Anti-Japanese feeling has hardened considerably in the ROK. What kind of message will the Abe administration be sending with a view to improving Japan-ROK relations? Also, is there no change to the Government's stance of looking forward to the holding of a Japan-ROK summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is absolutely no change to the Government's stance. Japan and the ROK are neighboring countries that share common values of freedom and democracy. As such, the ROK is an important neighboring country of Japan.

REPORTER: With regard to the procedures relating to the landfill application at Henoko in Nago City for the purpose of the relocation of Futenma Air Station, in a meeting of Nago City officials today, the mayor's opinion that the application should be rejected was approved. In an extraordinary session of the Nago City Assembly to be held on November 22, the opinion of the mayor to reject the application is likely to be approved by a majority vote. The Government is currently engaged in efforts to seek cooperation from the prefecture to promote the move to Henoko, as agreed by Japan and the United States, and yesterday just such a call for cooperation was made to members of the local party chapter. What is the reaction of the Government to a local mayor's opinion that the landfill application should be rejected?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that the proposal has been formally submitted yet. Accordingly, I would like to refrain from making any comment at this stage. I will make a comment when the proposal has been formally submitted.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the special intelligence protection bill, it is expected that revisions proposed by Your Party will be accommodated and finalized. What is your view of the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister has previously stated, the Government's hope is that the draft bill can be passed, having been reviewed and revised by various parties and having gained as broad an understanding as possible.

REPORTER: According to various opinion polls, while it seems that certain parts of the public accept that this legislation is necessary, approximately 70 percent of those polled consider that great caution should be given to passing the draft bill in the current session of the Diet. What are your views concerning the figures that have resulted from opinion polls?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that approximately 60 percent of respondents to various opinion polls have indicated that the draft bill should be passed. At the same time, as you mention, approximately 70 percent stated that caution and care should be given to passage of the draft bill. It is for this reason that a great deal of time is being spent on Diet deliberations on the bill. . I think that in the course of these deliberations, the various points of issue are being consolidated to facilitate the consultations on revisions to the draft bill.

REPORTER: On the same point, prior to the opening of the Diet session you stated that it would be necessary to deepen public understanding about this bill. Do you consider that public understanding is indeed deepening?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe so, yes.

REPORTER: With regard to the special intelligence protection bill, while consultations on revisions to the bill have been largely completed with Your Party, and are ongoing on a daily basis with the Japan Restoration Party, consultations with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) have yet to start. Given that the Government seeks to achieve broad understanding for the bill, is there any intention to seek to engage the DPJ in consultations and reach agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will seek to make a response on site, within the scope of the time limitations.

REPORTER: You have just mentioned time limitations and as the DPJ is requesting major revisions to the draft bill, it is likely that coordination between the Government and the DPJ could take considerable time. Bearing in mind the time limitations, is it likely that consultations with the DPJ will not be finalized?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has submitted the draft bill in the belief that it is the best draft possible. Following the submission, various points have been raised in consultations on revisions to the bill. Coordination has been implemented among the Directors on site or between parties and the Government's stance is to monitor this process.

REPORTER: You have just stated that the points of issue are being consolidated in the course of deliberations. In specific terms, what sort of points do you think are being consolidated?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are various newspaper reports about so-called opaque points, including third-party organization and the 30-year period issue, but the fact is that the Government draft is one that the Government can explain its stance on, which is naturally why it was submitted. However, in the course of discussions, calls for revisions have been made and the Government listens humbly to such opinions, and the various political parties are engaging with negotiations.

REPORTER: Is it the intention, for example, to ensure that reference to a third-party check function is included in the revisions, which is something the Prime Minister mentioned at the weekend?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that inter-party consultations are continuing on various points, including the one that you have just mentioned.

REPORTER: The ceremony for the presentation of the credentials of Ambassador Caroline Kennedy of the United States has recently concluded and there are press reports that the new ambassador will have a dinner meeting with the Prime Minister on November 20. What is the current status of such arrangements?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is being currently coordinated with the Diet schedule. The Prime Minister's Diet schedule is very full at the moment, in both houses of the Diet and the meeting will be decided as his Diet schedule is coordinated.