Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership
• The issue related to the United Nations adopted the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
• The issue related to the Air Defense Identification Zones

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It has not been possible to reach a conclusion by the end of the year in the ministerial meeting, meaning that the talks will be carried over to next year. Could you share with us your thoughts, and why you perceive a conclusion could not be reached?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday after the ministerial meeting concluded, Senior Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office Nishimura phoned me to brief on the talks. I will subsequently receive a more detailed report upon his return to Japan, but I was informed that although a conclusion could not be reached at the recent meeting, there was substantial progress in negotiations toward a conclusion for most of the major outstanding issues, thanks to the frank exchange of views shared by ministerial-level officials. I have been informed that intensive work will continue for the next few weeks at an administrative level, and that the ministers will meet again next year. I have also been informed that each country is currently continuing to work on the issue, so as to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.

REPORTER: The U.S., like Japan, maintained a very hard line throughout negotiations. What are your thoughts on the stance of the U.S.?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Different countries have different positions, and it has been reported to me that at the present stage, the ministers have been exchanging frank opinions and are now exploring the point at which agreements can be made, while trying to bridge the gaps in their respective positions. I admit that there is still a gulf between the Japanese and U.S. positions, but as I just said, we are currently   to working at administrative level in order to reach a conclusion. The stance of the Government if consistent, We have engaged in negotiations with the principle of protecting those areas that should be protected, and seeking to gain that which needs to be gained for Japan's national interest.

REPORTER: I understand that the participating nations have made arrangements toward reaching a conclusion by the end of the year. Now that the talks will be carried over to next year, has the Government set a new deadline or new goals?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe so. I doubt that all the participants believed that the talks would reach a conclusion by the end of the year. We thought that it would be ideal to reach a conclusion by the end of the year, but given that negotiations were expected to be extremely challenging, the participating countries were merely hoping to achieve this outcome.

REPORTER: If I may put it another way, you just said that you were only hoping to reach a conclusion by the end of the year, so now, by when are you hoping the talks can be wrapped up?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said earlier, we are now nearing concrete conclusions, and the participating nations are at last attempting to bridge the gaps between each other to reach a conclusion. It is my understanding that we are starting to see an end to negotiations.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the establishment of a bill to criminalize conspiracy. In 2000, I believe, the United Nations adopted the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, expecting that all participating countries establish such a bill. How will the Japanese Government proceed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to a bill to adhere to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime you mentioned, the Government has yet to decide how and when it will proceed.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: In relation to the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), it has been reported in media that the Japanese Government will dispatch director-level officials of the Ministry of Defense to China and the Republic of Korea to discuss the ADIZ with the two countries' respective defense authorities. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not have any knowledge of this.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. Does the Japanese Government have any intention of proactively pursuing dialogue in order to alleviate tensions between Japan and China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister has also made it clear on numerous occasions that we are always open to dialogue. At the same time, we have been conducting negotiations at a number of administrative levels, including those between Director Generals. However I, in my position of Chief Cabinet Secretary, do not have knowledge of every single administrative-level meeting.