Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to the mayoral election in Nago City
• The issues related to the memorial hall in honor of Ahn Jung-geun in China
• The issue related to comfort women

REPORTER: In yesterday's mayoral election in Nago City, the incumbent mayor, who is opposed to the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Nago city, was reelected. He defeated the candidate that was endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). What is your reaction to the election results, and what is your analysis of the reasons for defeat?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the election results, and it is very regrettable. In any case, Futenma Air Station must not be allowed to remain at its current location indefinitely. I believe this understanding is also shared among the Government and Okinawa Prefecture. The relocation to Henoko is the only solution to eliminate the dangers presented by Futenma Air Station and to not allow it to remain at its current location indefinitely, while also maintaining deterrence. This was also confirmed at the 2+2 meeting (Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee meeting) held in Japan in October last year. The Government will continue to work to alleviate the burden placed on Okinawa and to realize the promotion and development of Okinawa. Furthermore, the authority that is granted as a result of this local election is limited. As the land reclamation was approved by the Governor of Okinawa last year, the Government will move forward with the plan, while providing explanations as much as possible and seeking the understanding of the people.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Government has taken various steps, including securing 300 billion yen every year until 2021 for the budget for the promotion and development of Okinawa, as well as other measures to alleviate the burden of the bases. Even then the understanding of the local people could not be obtained. Chief Cabinet Secretary, what are your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, I believe these two matters should be thought of separately. As the people in Okinawa Prefecture are asked to bear such a heavy burden, I believe it is the responsibility of the Government to do as much as possible to alleviate the burden.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A memorial hall in honor of Ahn Jung-geun, the man who assassinated Hirobumi Ito, was opened at Harbin Railway Station in China. What is your opinion regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, Japan has communicated its position and concerns on this matter to both the Republic of Korea and China on numerous occasions. The fact that, nevertheless, this is how things turned out, is extremely regrettable and deplorable. As I have explained in my previous press conferences, Japan's position on Ahn Jung-geun is that he is a terrorist who killed the first Prime Minister of Japan and received a death sentence. This is how we view the matter. Japan and the Republic of Korea differ entirely on their positions over Ahn Jung-geun in particular. I would have to say that the collaborative moves by the Republic of Korea and China to internationally assert their position, which is based on a one-sided assessment on the incident of the previous century, do not contribute to building relations of peace and cooperation in this region. On the 19th, the Japanese Government immediately communicated its regret to the Republic of Korea and China.

REPORTER: Was the regret expressed in the form of a protest and through diplomatic channels? Could you please explain this in further detail?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was communicated through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: The moves to open a memorial hall in honor of Ahn Jung-geun have been public since around June last year. While I imagine that the Government has been explaining its position, at the same time has the Government frequently and directly expressed regret over the matter through diplomatic channels? Could you explain the circumstance to date?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from going into the specifics. However, these are diplomatic communications, and the Government has been making such requests.

REPORTER: Although the memorial hall has thus already been opened, how will the Government be dealing with this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan expressed its regret to the Republic of Korea and China on the 19th, and we will persistently explain the views of Japan.

REPORTER: With regard to the current situation in which China and the Republic of Korea have been accelerating anti-Japan moves in this way, moments ago you used the phrase they "do not contribute" (to building relations). How did you perceive overall situation as you followed this series of moves?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated a short while ago, Japan has communicated its position and concerns to both countries on numerous occasions. In this sense, I believe the opening of the memorial hall is extremely regrettable and deplorable. I would have to say that making assertions based on a one-sided assessment of the incident of the previous century -and doing this in the global arena - does not in any way contribute to peace and security in this region. The Japanese Government promptly lodged a protest through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: Following the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate also passed a bill which includes the statement, "urges the Secretary of State to encourage the Government of Japan to address the issues raised in the (2007) resolution (on comfort women)." Do you have any comments regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will fully assert Japan's position and seek understanding.

REPORTER: In particular, how do you intend to explain in the situation that a bill with this kind of content was passed at the Congress of the United States, an ally of Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is now dealing with this properly through diplomatic channels, while providing careful explanations. The Government will carefully explain the views of Japan to the Congress and to other parties, and work to obtain their understanding.

(Abridged)