Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, at around 8 am, a transport vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Osumi, and a fishing vessel collided, with the fishing vessel capsizing off the coast of Atatajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture. I was reported that the four people who were aboard the fishing vessel were rescued, but that two of them are in cardio-respiratory arrest and are receiving intensive medical treatment at a hospital in Iwakuni City. The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and the JMSDF are continuing their investigation in the sea area where the incident took place and are confirming the situation at the site, among other factors. With regard to the cause of the incident, the JCG has started its investigation. In any case, it is extremely regrettable that such an incident was caused by a vessel of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the victims. The facts of this incident were promptly notified to the Prime Minister who was on the government plane. At 8:24 am, the Prime Minister issued the following three instructions: ensure that prompt rescue activities are conducted; confirm the safety of vessels in surrounding areas; and swiftly provide information to the people. The Government established the "Response Office at the Prime Minister's Office Concerning the Collision between the JMSDF Transport Vessel Osumi and a Fishing Vessel" within the Crisis Management Center at the Prime Minister's Office at 8:20 am, and is making every effort to collect information. In any case, based on the Prime Minister's instructions, the Government will continue to work to uncover the cause of the incident and take thorough measures to prevent reoccurrence. We will also provide information promptly and accurately.

Q&As

• The issues related to the collision accident between a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel and a fishing vessel
• The Japan- the Republic of Korea relations

REPORTER: Detailed circumstances of this incident, such as the location of the vessels immediately prior to their collision, have not been clarified even in the press conference of the Minister of Defense. Are such details beginning to come to light?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The JCG has started investigations. As soon as such details become clear, I believe the Ministry of Defense (MOD) will naturally announce them.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You said that the JCG is conducting the investigations. To find out the cause of the incident, will you, for example, establish an accident investigation committee within the JMSDF?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The details, including such matters, will be announced by the MOD. Naturally, I believe that is a possibility.

REPORTER: What is the affiliation of this fishing vessel? Also, what kind of people are the four people who were involved in this incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I am not aware of the exact details at this moment, I would like to refrain from commenting on this.

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, during the Minister of Defense's press conference, the Minister noted that, according to the JCG's information, there was a possibility that the fishing vessel capsized due to the waves rather than a collision. Has this been confirmed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There was such information. However, at the same time, there was a scratched area on one of the vessels, and therefore, I announced moments ago that this was a collision. As the investigation is under way, I believe the details will be clear.

REPORTER: On which part of the vessel did you find the supposed scratch marks? Were the scratches on the SDF vessel?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: They were on the SDF vessel.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: They were on the fishing vessel.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: They were on the fishing vessel. In light of such observations, I used the word "collision." These details are currently under investigation, and I believe they will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

REPORTER: Minister Onodera said there is also information to suggest that the vessels may have collided in their attempts to avoid each other. Do you have any information regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We too have been briefed about this information. However, as the specifics are now under investigation, I would like to refrain from making any specific statements.

REPORTER: With regard to the composition of the crew members of the fishing vessel, is my understanding correct that there were four people in total - one captain and three anglers? Also, regarding the conditions of the crew members, is my understanding correct that the captain is among the two people in cardio-respiratory arrest and that the other two people do not have life-threatening injuries? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, I was reported that two people are in cardio-respiratory arrest and that the other two of the four people do not have life-threatening injuries.

REPORTER: Are you saying that you do not have any knowledge in particular of the breakdown of the crew members?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was informed that one of them is the captain and that the rest may be the crew of the leisure fishing boat. However, we .would like to refrain from commenting on details at this stage.

REPORTER: After the incident occurred, what kind of notification did the MOD and you receive and at around what time was this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was briefed through the Executive Secretary shortly after 8:20 am.

REPORTER: Afterwards, what kind of channel was used to notify the Prime Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister was notified via telephone on the government plane.

REPORTER: Was it you who made the call?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, it was the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management.

REPORTER: Are there any measures that the Prime Minister's Office are thinking of taking in response to this incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the JCG is now conducting the investigations, I think that the MOD will primarily be dealing with this. However, at the Prime Minister's Office, a response office has already been established within the Crisis Management Center at 8:20 am, and  it will be dealing with this while collecting information.

REPORTER: With the Crisis Management Center leading the work this time, it seems that the National Security Council (NSC) does not have much to do with it.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this was an accident at a specific site, the Crisis Management Center is primarily dealing with this. 

REPORTER: If I may ask another question. I believe this was the third incident involving a SDF vessel, following the incidents involving the Nadashio and the Atago. What are the thoughts of the Government regarding the fact that this has become the third case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The JCG is now investigating the details, including the cause of the incident. Nevertheless, it is extremely regrettable that such an incident was caused by an SDF vessel, and I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the victims. In any case, I believe the overall picture will become clear through the investigation.

REPORTER: Yesterday, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea has made public its plans to compile materials related to those who were comfort women during World War II  under Japanese rule. Furthermore, the Ministry plans to list "comfort women" in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Memory of the World Register. What is the view of the Japanese Government? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of the media reports. In any case, it has been the consistent position of Japan that the issues of property and claims between Japan and the Republic of Korea, including the comfort women issue, have already been completely and fully settled by the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation. Japan has been providing thorough explanations on this to the Republic of Korea. 

REPORTER: I have a related question, in connection with Japan-ROK relations. The Republic of Korea has taken such actions on repeated occasions. What is your opinion regarding the Republic of Korea's hostile stance towards Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan will respond in a calm and firm manner, while fully asserting what should be asserted.