Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The overview of the Cabinet meeting
• A meeting of the National Security Council
• Japan's response to the Typhoon disaster in the central part of Philippines
• A Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
• To donate supplies necessary for the relief of Syrian refugees in Iraq and Turkey
• The status of the reviews regarding the Basic Energy Plan and the new action guidelines pertaining to the issue of high-level radioactive waste

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 26 general and other measures, the promulgation of legislation, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning the approval of the strategy to make "Japan the Safest Country in the World." The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the December portion of the special local allocation tax grants of FY2013.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry made a statement concerning the status of the reviews regarding the Basic Energy Plan and the issue of high-level radioactive waste. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning the Basic Energy Plan and the issue of high-level radioactive waste.

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the National Security Council (NSC) convened a meeting. Today, during the nine ministers' meeting, discussion took place on the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG), among other matters. The NSC will lead the work on the NDPG, among other matters, in partnership with the ruling parties, while taking into account the discussions of the Advisory Panel on National Security and Defense Capabilities. Then, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) briefed the meeting on Japan's response to the typhoon disaster in the Philippines. Primarily, they explained the visit to the Philippines by the Minister of Defense and the situation of the activities of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) teams. For more information, please contact MOD and MOFA.

Today, a Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime was held before the Cabinet meeting. During the Cabinet meeting, the Strategy to Make "Japan the Safest Country in the World" was decided. Looking ahead to the next seven years with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in 2020, it was decided that the Government will make united efforts to promote comprehensive crime countermeasures pursuant to this strategy. For more information regarding the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime, please contact the Office of Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretaries, the Cabinet Secretariat.

During today's Cabinet meeting, a decision was made to donate supplies necessary for the relief of Syrian refugees in Iraq and Turkey to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in accordance with the International Peace Cooperation Law. This decision was made in response to the request from IOM in light of the increasing influx of refugees from Syria to neighboring countries, such as Iraq and Turkey. After air transporting tents and jerry cans to Iraq and blankets and sleeping mats to Turkey, which the Cabinet Office has stockpiled in the United Arab Emirates, the supplies will be swiftly delivered to IOM. For more information, I ask that you please contact Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, the Cabinet Office.

During today's ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motegi made a statement concerning the status of the reviews regarding the Basic Energy Plan and the new action guidelines pertaining to the issue of high-level radioactive waste. Based on this, Prime Minister Abe issued two instructions. The first instruction was that in order to develop responsible energy policies, relevant ministers should carry out reviews, especially of the nuclear power policies, based on a broad range of perspectives. The second instruction was that in order for the Government to stand at the fore in addressing the issue of high-level radioactive waste and achieving its resolution, relevant ministers should consider the new action guidelines. Both of these issues or challenges need to be addressed with the Government standing at the fore. Therefore, to ensure that these measures can be promoted through a whole-of-Government approach, a meeting of relevant ministers will be set up and held at an early date under my leadership. Bearing in mind the findings of these reviews, we hope to have a Cabinet decision regarding the Basic Energy Plan by as early as the end of January.

Q&As

• The issues related to the special intelligence protection bill
• The issue related to the high-level radioactive waste
• The issue related to the abduction
• Regarding the reduced tax rate

REPORTER: During today's Cabinet meeting, was the promulgation date of the special intelligence protection bill decided?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: During today's Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the bill would be promulgated on December 13.

REPORTER: Related to this, is my understanding correct that the legislation will enter into effect within one year of the promulgation date?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that's how it is designed.

REPORTER: Then, as of this point in time, by around when do you think that the legislation will enter into effect?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the date on which the special intelligence protection bill will enter into effect will be decided by cabinet order. As the necessary preparations have to be made for the enactment of the legislation, that date will be set at sometime within one year. However, we believe it is important that the legislation is enacted as quickly as possible so that NSC deliberations can be carried out more effectively and efficiently. At the same time, taking into account the Diet discussions, as well as the status of revision consultations with opposition parties, in order to dispel the concerns among the public, we believe it is also important that during the enactment process we conduct all possible preparations while providing careful explanations to the people. While keeping in mind these various factors, we will make a firm decision on the appropriate timing.

REPORTER: Taking into account the amount of time that would be needed to dispel concerns regarding this bill, can we expect that this will take about one year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The legislation will be enacted within one year. We will decide on the timing based on the situation, while providing careful explanations.

REPORTER: In relation to what you have just noted, the Prime Minister gave a press conference yesterday and made a comment that he regrets not having spent his time for providing more careful explanations. He stated that in the future he himself would like to provide careful explanations. However, the Diet session has adjourned, and he holds press conferences about once every two months, not regularly. As such, how exactly does the Prime Minister plan to provide explanations to the people? It seems to me that he has no means of doing so.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, some have raised concerns about things that will not in actual fact occur under the bill, including that the designation of special intelligence will be made arbitrarily, or that the bill will unduly infringe the people's right to access information and the freedom of the press. Given that such concerns have been raised, the Prime Minister feels that he needs to accept these concerns humbly and sincerely and provide explanations. I believe it was in light of these sentiments that the Prime Minister made those statements yesterday. Bearing these things in mind as well, as I said earlier, the Government will, for example, hold press conferences and launch a preparation office. Explanations will be provided at each and every such juncture.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Concerning the high-level radioactive waste, I imagine that reviews will be carried out on a variety of matters, including the method of final disposal. By around when do you intend to arrive at a conclusion regarding this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, we plan to have a Cabinet decision on the basic plan by as early as the end of January. Taking this into account, I believe it is critically important that a vision is presented as early as possible.

REPORTER: Regarding the abduction issue, Jang Sung-taek, who was in a position of being able to offer counsel towards the resolution of the abduction issue, has been discharged. Groups supporting the families of the abductees and other entities have subsequently voiced concerns about the safety of the abductees and demanded that the Government acquire an accurate grasp of the information on the matter. Can you please share your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the internal moves of North Korea related to the discharge of Mr. Jang Sung-taek, Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Commission and his dismissal from the party, Japan will continue to gather information, while calmly and closely monitoring the situation, including the impact on Japan-North Korea negotiations and the resolution of the abduction issue. Japan will make every effort to bring about a comprehensive solution to the abduction, nuclear, missile, and other pending issues based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration. Indeed, there has been no change to our stance of continuing to pursue dialogue and pressure. Furthermore, with regard to the variety of information, we will make sure to provide to the families of the abductees.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the reduced tax rate. Discussion is currently underway among the ruling parties regarding whether or not to introduce a reduced tax rate when the consumption tax is increased to 10%. In this context, coordination work is still being carried out between the New Komeito party, which is keen to introduce the reduced tax rate, and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is still cautious about adopting this. What do you think about the current situation? Also, could you please once again explain the views of the Government regarding the reduced tax rate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, regarding how to respond to the raising of the consumption tax to 10%, upon obtaining the understanding of relevant members within the ruling parties, a conclusion will be reached by the time that the tax reform guidelines of the ruling parties will be decided in December of this year. The consultations are currently ongoing, and the Government would like to closely follow the discussion among the ruling parties.