Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to the statement by NHK President Momii
• The issues related to the stock market

REPORTER: I have a question regarding a statement made by President Momii of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) during his inaugural press conference. Regarding the comfort women issue, the President stated, "(Comfort women) could be found in any nation that was at war." From the standpoint of political neutrality and impartiality, opposition parties and others are questioning Mr. Momii's qualifications for being NHK President. Could you please share your comments on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I am aware of the media reports. My understanding is that President Momii made the statement in his personal capacity. As such, the Government would like to refrain from commenting on the content of the statement. The Government expects that as the head of a public broadcasting entity, which assumes a social mission, President Momii will execute his duties in accordance with the Broadcast Act. In any case, with regard to the comfort women issue, Prime Minister Abe has said repeatedly that he is deeply pained when thinking of the women who experienced immeasurable pain and suffering. This is a feeling shared by his predecessors. He believes that we should not turn this issue into a political or diplomatic issue. It is nothing more or less than that.

REPORTER: Although you explained that this was a statement made in a personal capacity, there is backlash from the Republic of Korea (ROK) media, who say that this was an absurd statement. Furthermore, the NHK President named a number of European countries during his press conference. Are there any diplomatic concerns in connection with this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The NHK President is selected by a vote among the Board of Governors. As was explained by President Momii, I believe that the NHK's broadcast services will be appropriately supervised by the Board of Governors, in compliance with the Broadcast Act. In any case, as President Momii noted at the beginning of his press conference, I consider compliance with the Broadcast Act as being of number one importance. The Government hopes that as the head of a public broadcasting entity, which assumes a social mission, President Momii will fulfill his duties in accordance with the Broadcast Act.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. President Momii touched on the subject of the ROK, and said that the ROK is bringing up issues despite the fact that they have been settled under the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation. This in and of itself is an undeniable fact. What is your opinion regarding President Momii's personal understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is not so much a personal understanding. The Government's view on this is clear. However, with regard to the comfort women issue, as I said moments ago, the Prime Minister, like his predecessors, has stated consistently that, he is deeply pained when thinking of the women who experienced immeasurable pain and suffering. He believes that we should not turn this issue into a political or diplomatic issue. I think that is the bottom line with regard to this issue.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question about the stock market. Looking at the U.S. stock market, it appears that we are beginning to see funds flowing out of emerging countries on a greater scale than was anticipated. What do you think about this, including its effects on Japanese exchange rates and stocks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, stock prices have increased considerably, but at that time too, I said I would like to refrain from commenting on the Nikkei Stock Average and stock prices. This time also, I would like to refrain from commenting in order to avoid causing unnecessary market confusion. However, I recognize that factors, such as speculations about monetary easing in the United States and concerns about the outlook of emerging economies, underpin the recent trends in stock prices. While the Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, the Government will continue to closely monitor financial market trends and their impact. In any case, we will continue to steadily promote the three arrows. By all means, we will exit deflation and revitalize the economy by realizing a positive cycle of the economy, in which increases in corporate profits lead to increases in capital investments and to increases in wages. This in turn will then contribute to increases in employment.

(Abridged)