Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 12 general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Furuya made a statement concerning the Government's response to the damages caused by heavy snow and other natural disasters.

Q&As

• The issue related to the report of The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

(Abridged)    

REPORTER: I have a question regarding North Korea. The United Nations (UN) Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released a report that mentions the abduction issue. The report takes a very tough stance against North Korea. Among other things, it accuses North Korea of committing crimes against humanity and recommends bringing this matter to the International Criminal Court. What are your thoughts on this?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, in its report, this UN Commission of Inquiry lists the grave human rights violations in North Korea in a detailed and comprehensive manner. Furthermore the Commission declares that North Korea perpetrated human rights violations that constitute crimes against humanity in a number of areas, including abductions. The report urges North Korea to make concrete efforts to rectify the situation, and calls on the international community and the UN to take further action. In addition, the report addresses the abduction issue; a matter of great importance to Japan. It urges North Korea to provide all information pertaining to the abductees, and to repatriate the actual abductees and their children to Japan. Japan welcomes this report. We will make sure to play a concrete role in this issue, including establishing follow-up mechanisms in Asia and other relevant regions. We will also work together with the countries concerned and the UN.
   
(Abridged)