Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to Japan-China relations
• The issue related to the campaign platform of the Liberal Democratic Party
• The issues related to the media report on U.S.- the Republic of Korea foreign ministers' meeting

REPORTER: It seems that China has decided to postpone three exchange programs with Japan. Is this true? Has China contacted the Japanese Government regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On January 7 and 8, the Chinese organization concerned informed the Japanese Embassy in China as well as the Japan-China Friendship Center, the Japanese implementing organization for these exchange programs, that it wishes to postpone the visit to Japan due to China's internal circumstances. Such communication has taken place.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe these actions taken by China could be viewed as countermeasures in retaliation to the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. What is your opinion of China's responses?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: China has given its internal circumstances as the reason for the postponement. Therefore, under such circumstances, Japan would like to refrain from making any predictions and responding to the question.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I understand that you have contributed an article to some magazines in which you stated that there is no need to rush for holding summit meetings with China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) at this very instant. Is this true? Are you implying that now is not yet the time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I did not contribute an article. I was interviewed. During the interview, I also said that Japan's door for dialogue is always open. In light of this, indeed, it remains entirely unchanged that even though the two countries have their respective positions and assertions, Japan's door for dialogue is always open, and Japan will promote a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.

REPORTER: I have a related question. A short while ago, you stated that exchange programs with China have been postponed and that this was due to China's internal circumstances. You refrained from making comments about its relationship to Yasukuni. However, the fact remains that China has notified the suspension of three bilateral exchange programs immediately following the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. What is your reaction to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan considers China to be an important neighboring country. In this context, Japan will make efforts to ensure that individual issues do not affect the overall bilateral relationship, and, in order to do so, it is the basic position of Japan to promote the relationship according to the concept of a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. If the postponement of the exchanges were decided in relation to  Prime Minister Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, then I believe that is regrettable. That is what I think.   

(Abridged)

REPORTER: If I may, I would like to ask a question in relation to what has been reported by the media. The draft 2014 campaign platform of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been released. According to media reports, the phrase "pledge never to wage a war" that was in the original draft has been removed. Instead, the phrase "heightening respects to the war dead" has been included. The draft which has been released does not contain the phrase "pledge never to wage a war." I understand that this was included in the 2013 campaign platform, but has been dropped from the draft of the 2014 campaign platform. Are you aware of the process that led up to this? If this is true, it seems this contradicts Prime Minister Abe's policy. Could you please comment on these points?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Party Convention will be held on the 19th I believe. I myself am not yet aware of the details regarding this. However, as you mentioned in your question just now, the Prime Minister has formally stated in his Statement that he is determined to firmly uphold the pledge never to wage a war. In any case, I do not know the details of the party's draft campaign platform. However, I believe the LDP's views are consistent with the pledge never to wage a war.  

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, if the phrase "pledge never to wage a war" were not to be included this time while it was included in the 2013 campaign platform, I would think this would give the impression that the situation has taken a step backwards at this timing. What is your view regarding this? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not certain as to the exact phrasing. However, in any case, I believe it is common and possible for the concept of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation to be described differently depending on the length of the document and other such factors. Nevertheless, I believe that the content remains entirely unchanged.

REPORTER: It has been reported that the United States and the ROK have agreed to establish a new framework for discussing response measures in preparation for sudden changes in the situation in North Korea. What are your thoughts regarding these developments, including whether or not Japan will participate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the media reports, but I am not aware of the details. As the ROK and the United States have a U.S.-ROK alliance, I believe it is in a sense natural for allies to discuss North Korea during the U.S.-ROK foreign ministers' meeting. I understand that the two allies have reached such a decision accordingly, but I am not aware of the details.

REPORTER: How do you accept the current situation - the fact that Prime Minister Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine has worsened the Japan-China relations? Also, what does Japan consider as key points for improving its future relations with China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister stated during his press conference following his visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the Prime Minister prayed for the souls of all those who made ultimate sacrifices for the very sake of the country and paid his respects. Also, the Prime Minister said clearly during his press conference that he pledged to build a country which will never wage a war again. The Government will work to obtain understanding while explaining humbly, sincerely, and persistently that the Prime Minister's intention was not to hurt China or the ROK. It is very much our intention to steadily build a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests between Japan and China, and Japan will continue to take steps to this end based on our stance that Japan's door for dialogue is always open.  

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You said that Japan will give explanations persistently to China and the ROK. As of this moment, has the Japanese Government provided explanations to the Chinese Government through any channels?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Naturally, I understand that the content of the Prime Minister's press conference at that time as well as his objective have been explained through diplomatic channels.