Home > News > Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary > January 2014 > Wednesday, January 29, 2014 (PM)
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 (PM)
Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
- The issues related to the State of the Union Address delivered U.S. President Obama
REPORTER: President Obama of the United States delivered his State of the Union Address, in which he stated that US policy would continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Can I ask for your thoughts on the State of the Union Address?
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: First of all, and in particular, the State of the Union Address noted a strong commitment by the Obama administration to engage in issues that are facing the international community. The Government of Japan would like to welcome such a commitment. In addition, President Obama also stated that the United States will continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific, where it will support its allies, and shape a future of greater security and prosperity. This position is in complete alignment with that of the Government of Japan and we will therefore continue to engage in strong cooperation as one of the very allies referred to in the address.
REPORTER: In the State of the Union Address, there was no specific mention of Japan for the fifth consecutive year, whereas China was mentioned twice. Can I ask for your views on this point?
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: President Obama did not himself mention Japan on this occasion, nor has he done so in his previous four addresses. However, even though Japan was not mentioned in the address, President Obama has stated on various occasions that the United States places importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance and therefore the Government is not particularly worried or concerned that there was no mention of Japan in the address. Although China and other countries were mentioned by name, in the case of China it was merely in the context of investment in China, or China as a trade competitor. Furthermore, in the case of other countries, they were specifically mentioned in the context of conflicts or other specific issues. We do not believe that there was any special reason not to mention Japan and the Government has no concerns in this regard.
