Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-China relations
• Japan-Republic of Korea relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning Japan-China relations. Triggered by Prime Minister Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, China has been leading a global campaign, using domestic media and other means, to criticize Japanese leaders and accusing them of glorifying a war of aggression. Could you tell us whether the Japanese Government acknowledges that the Sino-Japanese War was a war of aggression?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, regarding the visit to Yasukuni Shrine, as the Prime Minister clearly stated in the statement he made after the visit, the purpose of his visit was to make a renewed pledge to never again wage war based on severe remorse for the past. We would like to make it very clear that the visit was in no way an attempt to glorify war. The Abe administration's understanding of history and approach to foreign diplomacy remains unchanged. Furthermore, never, to this very day, has the Abe administration denied past aggression.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. During a press conference on January 14, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida strongly stressed that he would provide explanations to China in a persistent manner on the Abe administration's stance, which adheres to the Murayama Statement and the Kono Statement. However, Prime Minister Abe has expressed his intention to announce a new statement upon the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. Are adhering to the Murayama Statement and plans to announce a new statement not contradictory?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that it would be contradictory at all. The Abe Cabinet has made it clear that it intends to take the same stance as past Cabinets, which includes adhering to the Murayama Statement. The Murayama Statement was announced upon the 50th anniversary of the war, and at the 60th anniversary, the Koizumi Statement was announced. The Abe Government would like to announce a future-oriented statement which will fit for the 21st century as we approach the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding Japan- Republic of Korea (ROK) relations. Park Geun-hye is currently visiting India. The Office of the President of the Republic of Korea announced that, during a meeting with female Indian members of Parliament, President Park asked for their special interest and support with regard to the issue of "comfort women" and Japan. Firstly, could you share with us the Government's views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the issue of "comfort women" and other issues of the past, the Japanese Government has explained to the ROK Government on many occasions our stance and the efforts we have made to date. The Japanese Government would like the ROK Government to fully accept our efforts. Our consistent stance is that the issue of property claims between Japan and the Republic of Korea, which includes the issue of "comfort women," was resolved fully and definitively with the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation.

REPORTER: I believe that Prime Minister Abe is planning a visit to India. This attitude of the ROK to make reference purposely to "comfort women" in India, appears to me to be an attempt to place pressure on Prime Minister Abe as he considers visiting India. What are your thoughts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, the stance of Japan is very clear and we will assert our stance, without hesitation, that all aspects of the issues between Japan and the ROK have been fully resolved with the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation. I believe it is a fact that throughout the many wars that have taken place over the course of history, the human rights of women were indeed violated. What is important now is that we ensure that the 21st century is finally a century free of human rights violations. Japan is determined to exert every effort in support of this.

REPORTER: This was raised earlier, but China and the ROK, particularly China, have been leading campaigns to make accusations targeting Japan. I believe that their campaigns started in a UK newspaper. Does the Japanese Government have any intention of using overseas media to communicate a message to the citizens of foreign countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, we do of course have that intention. For example, when China published a statement in the UK, we also clearly published Japan's stance. When something like this occurs in the U.S. and other countries, the Japanese Government accurately communicates the facts and I believe that they are understood.

(Abridged)