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Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

Monday, March 3, 2014 (PM)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

[Provisional Translation]

Q&As

  • The issue related to the talks between the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea
  • The issues related to the Kono Statement
  • The issue related to Japan-Russia relations
  • The issue related to the situation in Ukraine
  • The issues related to the National Security Secretariat
  • The issue related to the firing of missiles by North Korea

REPORTER: Talks between the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea have started this morning in China. Could you tell us if the Government has received any new information about the progress of these talks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have yet to receive any report about the results of the talks.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to actively utilize these Red Cross talks to achieve the early resumption of Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the North Korean side indicated that it would send the relevant representative from its foreign ministry to the talks. Therefore, the Government of Japan decided to send the director of the relevant division of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend as well. As such, I would like to refrain from conjecture about the intentions of North Korea or the future outlook.

REPORTER: As background, in December 2012, during the time of the Noda administration, the Government of Japan announced that it would postpone the Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations. This was in protest against North Korea’s announcement of its plan to launch a long-range ballistic missile. Since then, North Korea has not taken any actions towards the resolution of the nuclear missile issue, and therefore no moves have been made to resume consultations. Could you tell us whether the Abe administration is currently adhering to this stance?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from conjecture about the intentions of North Korea or the future outlook.

REPORTER: I have a question about the understanding of history. In the recent meeting of the Budget Committee the Prime Minister stated that the Government will continue to succeed the position of former Cabinets with regard to the understanding of history. I would like to clarify once more; are we to understand from this statement that the administration will in principle succeed the Murayama and Kono Statements?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: My answer regarding this matter is the same as it has always been.

REPORTER: In particular, with regard to the Kono Statement, you have recently announced the intention for the Government to ascertain the background of its compilation. What are your thoughts about the consistency between ascertainment of the background of the statement and the Government continuing to succeed the statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think there is any issue of consistency at all. First of all, at the time of the first Abe Cabinet, a written answer approved by the Cabinet was issued. This stated that the Government’s basic position was to succeed the statement by former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono. Former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ishihara was the person responsible at the working level at the time the Kono Statement was issued. In a recent meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, he stated that no background research relating to the testimonies of the former comfort women was conducted. These testimonies were provided on the condition of confidentiality and Japan is a country that upholds its pledges. Therefore, my view is that it may be necessary to ascertain the facts behind testimonies, while maintaining their confidentiality. Furthermore, with regard to the testimonies, there is the possibility that Japan may have given consideration to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the two countries may have engaged in consultations. According to the public testimony given by former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ishihara, when the Kono Statement was issued, Japan-ROK relations temporarily stabilized. However, Mr. Ishihara also stated that it was extremely regrettable that Japan’s good intentions at the time have been disregarded. There may therefore be a need to ascertain the background to the compilation of the Kono Statement, including whether consultations took place between Japan and the ROK, and, if so, how such consultations would have taken place. Therefore, my response in  the Diet on this matter was that it may be necessary to thoroughly  ascertain the fact behind the testimonies, while maintaining their confidentiality.

REPORTER: I have a question about Japan-Russia relations. President Putin of Russia is scheduled to visit Japan this autumn. In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida is planning to visit Russia in April to attend the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues and other meetings. What are your thoughts about how the situation in Ukraine will impact Japan-Russia diplomacy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At this point in time, Foreign Minister Kishida is scheduled to visit Russia in the spring and I believe there have been no changes to these plans.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I understand that President Obama of the United States has held telephone talks with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom and Chancellor Merkel of Germany to discuss the response to the situation in Ukraine. Are there currently any plans for Prime Minister Abe to hold telephone talks with President Obama?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are no such plans at the current time.

REPORTER: Does that mean such talks are not considered to be particularly necessary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe they are necessary at this time. The Government is responding by engaging in various forms of cooperation through diplomatic channels, including with the G7.

REPORTER: On March 1, President of the ROK Park Geun-hye made comments concerning the Government’s ascertainment of the facts behind Kono Statement, noting that “People who are still alive are witness to the truth of history,” and that “ignoring [people’s testimonies] just for the sake of political interests will only result in isolation.” The ROK seems to believe that  if Japan were to ascertain the background of the compilation, this might lead to a revision of the statement. It seems to me that the intentions of Japanese Government are not fully understood. What are your thoughts on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not understand that well.. Looking at this matter from the Japanese position, the person responsible at the working level mentioned the possibility that Japan may have given consideration to the ROK and the two countries may have engaged in consultations. Therefore, the Government’s position is that it may be necessary to ascertain the fact behind the testimonies, while maintaining their confidentiality.

REPORTER: So if the results of the ascertainment show that consultations did in fact take place, how will the Government seek to discuss this matter with the Government of the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I actually made a response in the Diet that the Government would “explore” what actions we would take. That is exactly what we would do. We would explore what actions we would take.

REPORTER: I have two questions. The first relates to press reports that suggest the Government is making arrangements for Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat Yachi to make a visit to Russia in mid-March. What are the facts behind these reports? Also, could I ask for your views with regard to the financial market situation today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Since the appointment of Secretary General Yachi, there have been plans for him to visit countries concerned and introduce himself. I therefore expect that the visit you mentioned could be part of these plans. I am not aware of what the current status of this matter is. However, I have heard that there are plans for him to visit various countries in his position as Secretary General. As for your question about the markets, I have been fully engaged in Diet deliberations and I only know today’s closing figures. What I would say is that the fluctuations are probably within the regular ups and downs of the market.

REPORTER: Three months have now passed since the establishment of the National Security Council (NSC) and I believe that Secretary General Yachi met with you yesterday. Could you tell us specifically about the outcomes of the operations of the NSC to date and whether any issues emerged?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, my honest view is that  we are pleased that we were able to create the NSC. Once every two weeks the four ministers’ meeting is held. This provides an important opportunity for the ministers to engage in a frank exchange of opinions and share their recognition about the severe security situation surrounding Japan. In addition, with regard to issues like the current situation in Ukraine, or the North Korean missile issue, for example, once a situation has arisen the National Security Secretariat engages in intelligence gathering and I think it is functioning fully as a platform for planning and comprehensive coordination. I met with Secretary General Yachi on Sunday, after which I received a status report. Under the previous vertically segmented structure, all matters had to be coordinated through my office. Now, however, the National Security Secretariat gathers various sources of intelligence in advance, implements coordination and sets out a direction, after which I receive a report. In that sense, I believe that we have been able to rapidly reinforce cooperation with other countries concerned on security matters and that we are better able to create highly responsive  strategies.

REPORTER: So no particular issues have emerged?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The NSC has only recently been established, but I imagine that naturally after six months or so it will be necessary to look back and examine its operations.

REPORTER: Could I ask about the Government’s awareness of the facts concerning the firing of missiles by North Korea this morning? Could I also ask about any response the Government plans to take?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The NSC is currently engaged in long-running intelligence gathering, and patrol and surveillance activities on this matter. With these, we are analyzing the results. As this relates to intelligence, I would like to refrain from providing an explanation from the Government. However, the Government will in any case call on North Korea to exercise self-restraint. We are making the necessary and appropriate responses in cooperation with the ROK and the United States.

 

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