Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to the case that Japanese a national was murdered in Ecuador
• The issue related to the telephone talks between Prime Minister Abe and U.S. Vice President Biden

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There have been media reports that the Government of Ecuador arrested new suspects in relation to the case at the end of last year in which a Japanese national was murdered while on honeymoon in Ecuador. Could you tell us what information the Japanese Government has about these developments and your thoughts on the case?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: On January 28, Ecuadorian time, the Japanese Ambassador to Ecuador received notification from the Minister of Interior of Ecuador that six persons had been newly arrested by Ecuadorian authorities on suspicion of involvement in the short-term abduction and robbery that took place in Guayaquil. We will remain in contact with the Government of Ecuador and will continue to closely monitor developments in the case.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are some press reports that suggest that at the time of the telephone talks in December last year between Vice President Biden of the United States and Prime Minister Abe, the Vice President stated that the Prime Minister should not visit Yasukuni Shrine. In response, it is reported that Prime Minister Abe said that he would make the decision himself. What are the facts behind these press reports?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: On December 12 last year, Prime Minister Abe held telephone talks with Vice President Biden of the United States concerning the visits the Vice President had just made to China and the Republic of Korea. However, as has been the case until now, I would like to refrain from making any comments about the specific details of the telephone talks.

(Abridged)