Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The initiative to promote the recruitment of women to national public employee positions

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to speak on the initiative to promote the recruitment of women to national public employee positions. The Government has taken the initiative in recruiting women to national public employee positions from the perspective of enhancing opportunities for women to work and to be active in society. In order to accelerate this initiative, during today's administrative vice ministers' liaison meeting Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato instructed all ministries to increase the ratio of women recruited and to establish conditions that facilitate this. More specifically, with regard to the recruitment of national public employees in FY 2015, all ministries will aim to have women account for over 30% of all new employees recruited through the national public employee examination. At the same time, the ministries will also aim to have women make up more than 30% of employees recruited for administrative positions through the examinations for comprehensive service. In addition to the recruitment of women, we recognize that it is important to create work environments that allow women to balance their home and childcare responsibilities with their careers. Therefore, we have instructed all ministries to take ministry-wide measures for this cause.

Q&As

• The issue related to the Air Defense Identification Zone established by China
• The visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to India
• The issue related to the revised Self-Defense Forces Law
• The Japan-Republic of Korea relations
• The videos on the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• The number of Japanese nationals confirmed to be safe after the typhoon in the Philippines

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning China's unilateral establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). During this morning's press conference, I believe you stated that you were not aware of the news that China is conducting patrol flights using its main fighter jets and other aircraft. Have you since been informed of the facts in relation to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I think I should refrain from commenting on each and every detail of the activities of the China's military as doing so may reveal Japan's surveillance capabilities. In light of this, however, I can say that if we discover anything that requires attention or anything unusual after conducting patrols and surveillance of foreign military vessels, for instance, or through anti-aircraft measures designed to identify flights of foreign aircraft, we would appropriately negotiate with the respective country, so long as doing so does not reveal Japan's hand. In any case, we will continue to do everything we can to conduct effective patrol and surveillance activities in response to China's attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo by coercive measures with determination to defend resolutely its territorial land, sea and airspace.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. There are concerns that if we continue to do nothing about such Chinese actions of unilaterally establishing an ADIZ and deploying fighter jets within the zone to selfishly try to create a fait accompli, then we would be playing into the hands of the Chinese side. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, we are steadily working in close cooperation with our ally, the U.S., and other nations concerned, and we do not accept China's attempts to change the status quo by coercive measures.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that tomorrow, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will visit India for the first time. Could you share with us what you expect from this diplomatic activity by Their Majesties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Historically, Japan and India have had extremely strong relations and I hope that the visit by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will further enhance the goodwill and friendship shared by our two nations.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of the recruitment of women to national public employee positions. Today the announcement of the appointment of Ms. Makiko Yamada as Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister coincided with the announcement of the Government's plan to promote the employment of women. Could you tell us if there is any connection between these two announcements and also share with us once again the Prime Minister's thoughts on these decisions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Ever since assuming his role, the Prime Minister has worked determinedly to increase the promotion of women. In today's society, where birth rates are truly declining, our population is aging, and globalization is advancing, the Prime Minister has implemented a number of initiatives, such as the elimination of childcare waiting lists within the next five years, to create a favorable working environment for women. Furthermore, today, the appointment of Ms. Yamada as Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister was announced, as well as the Government's aim to have women make up more than 30% of the national public  employee workforce. I believe the ministries generally begin making preparations from around December for recruiting new employees for the year after next, and the announcements were made today for that reason.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Following the passage of the revised Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law, which was approved by Cabinet decision, the Government today decided to revise a past Cabinet decision that limited the types of weapons that SDF personnel were allowed to carry to pistols, rifles and machine guns. Today, the Cabinet adopted the policy to lift the restrictions. Consequently, there have been expressions of concern that this will result in an unending expansion of the kinds of armaments that will be used by the SDF in the future. What is your response to these concerns?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think that this is at all the case. Conducting transportation on land which was made possible by the recent revision of the act, risks are foreseeable unlike those faced when conducting operations by air or sea. The act defines that armaments will be chosen depending on the specific conditions of each mission within the scope of the relevant provisions and therefore necessary and appropriate armaments will be selected. For this reason, I am certain that there will be no unchecked expansion.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union. Today was the first day of its General Meeting, the first to be held in two years. In today's climate, where the Governments are yet to hold a summit meeting, what are your thoughts on the fact that dialogue between members of the two respective Parliaments has taken place?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, as you just said, today the assembly was held in Tokyo for the first time in two years. Thus far, dialogue between members of the respective Parliaments has played a significant role in Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) relations. In light of this, Prime Minister Abe attended the opening ceremony of the assembly. During the ceremony, he addressed the significance of Japan- ROK relations and expressed his belief that Japan-ROK relations are extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the region. I too anticipate that the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union will play an even greater role in contributing to the development of Japan-ROK relations.

REPORTER: It has been reported today that the ROK has announced its intention to participate in preparatory consultations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Could you share with us your thoughts on this news?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I heard this in media reports.  It is said that the ROK will consider its participation after taking into account a number of issues. So I believe that this is what they will do.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the videos on the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are two banners on the website of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing linking to each of the videos. However, the website of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul does not have a banner linking to the video on Takeshima. What are your thoughts on this?

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: I will check.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not checked that specific website myself nor has it been reported to me, so please let me check first before answering your question.

REPORTER: Among the 133 Japanese nationals, could you tell us how many have been confirmed to be safe after the typhoon in the Philippines?

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The safety of 132 of the 133 nationals has been confirmed. That is, there is one individual who has yet to be confirmed.

(Abridged)