Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
I have one item to report, concerning the Prime Minister’s schedule. On Saturday, March 8, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Fukushima Prefecture. Specifically, the Prime Minister will survey the status of construction of public housing for disaster victims and confirm the status of progress of decontamination operations. He is also scheduled to exchange opinions with local residents from areas where preparations are being made for the evacuation order to be lifted.

Q&As

• The issues related to the situation in Ukraine

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the telephone talks between the Prime Minister and President Obama of the United States. To the extent that you are able to, could you tell us what the two leaders discussed as specific as possible, including items they confirmed or agreed upon?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I was also present during the telephone talks and President Obama provided an explanation about the position of the Government of the United States on the situation in Ukraine. In response Prime Minister Abe expressed his support for the efforts being made by President Obama to improve the situation in Ukraine and stated that the Government of Japan also expects the earliest improvement of the situation. Both leaders agreed on the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and confirmed the importance of the G7 Leaders’ Statement on the Situation in Ukraine. They also agreed to continue to stay in close communication about the situation. In addition, both leaders confirmed their support for economic and political reforms in Ukraine. In the telephone talks, it was also agreed that Japan and the United States would liaise closely and accelerate preparations for the upcoming visit of President Obama to Japan, which is scheduled for April.

REPORTER: The United States implemented sanctions against Russia. In the talks, did the United States side request that Japan take similar measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There was no such request. President Obama explained the United States’ position and Prime Minister Abe expressed his support for the efforts being made by President Obama, stating that he expects the earliest improvement of the situation. The two leaders also confirmed that Japan and the United States would join together in support for economic and political reforms in Ukraine.

REPORTER: According to some press reports, the White House issued a statement that says that Japan and the United States “agreed that Russia’s actions are a threat to international peace and security.” What are the facts behind such reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of the talks with the United States. As I have just noted, President Obama explained the position of the United States on the situation in Ukraine. In response, Prime Minister Abe stated his expectation for the earliest improvement of the situation.

REPORTER: Setting aside the exact details of the talks, could you at least tell us if the Government of Japan perceives the actions taken by Russia to be a threat?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government of Japan expects the earliest improvement of the situation. We will continue to closely monitor developments.

REPORTER: I have a question related to this very point. It appears that it was the White House that issued a statement noting that Japan and the United States “agreed that Russia’s actions are a threat to international peace and security.”

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, as I have just stated, I would like to refrain from making any comment about the details of the talks with the United States.

REPORTER: You would like to refrain from making any comment from the Japanese side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting about the interactions between the two leaders. As I have just noted, President Obama explained the position of the United States on the situation in Ukraine and Prime Minister Abe expressed his support for the efforts being made by President Obama to improve the situation. The Prime Minister also stated that the Government of Japan expects the earliest improvement of the situation.

REPORTER: You have just stated that Prime Minister Abe expressed his support for the efforts being made by President Obama to improve the situation in Ukraine. Does “efforts” include the imposition of sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: My understanding is that the Prime Minister expressed support for the overall efforts being made by the United States. The United States is currently engaged in various efforts. In addition, the two leaders also agreed on the extreme importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and also confirmed the importance of the G7 Leaders’ Statement on the Situation in Ukraine. They also agreed to continue to engage in close cooperation and confirmed their support for economic and political reforms in Ukraine.

REPORTER: For confirmation, from the way you worded your statement, are we to understand that the Government of Japan did not specifically state its support for sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister expressed his support for the various efforts currently being made by President Obama to improve the situation in Ukraine.

REPORTER: With regard to the situation in Ukraine, some feel that there is somewhat of a difference between the assertiveness of the response of the United States and that of the other G7 countries. You stated this morning that Japan will continue to closely monitor developments and take action accordingly. Following the telephone talks with President Obama, does Japan plan to closely monitor developments in the situation and take actions accordingly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The position of Japan is clear and the Government confirmed that it will continue to cooperate with the relevant countries, including in the forum of the G7.

REPORTER: So are we to understand that the Government of Japan will decide on its response by monitoring the actions of the United States, as well as other related countries such as the rest of the G7 countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan issued the Leaders’ Statement together with the other G7 members. Therefore I think in that sense it is only natural that Japan will continue to cooperate with the G7 countries, including the United States.

REPORTER: Were the telephone talks requested by the United States or Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The request came from the United States.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You have stated that in the telephone talks the Prime Minister and the President confirmed their support for political and economic reforms in Ukraine. Does this mean specifically that the Government of Japan will also be providing financial support to Ukraine?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, in the talks both leaders confirmed the importance of the G7 Leaders’ Statement. On that basis Japan will continue to respond by cooperating closely with the United States and the other G7 countries.

REPORTER: First of all, could you tell us if Prime Minister Abe or the Japanese Government made any requests to President Obama? Furthermore will Japan be taking any specific actions as a result of the telephone talks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Naturally the Prime Minister stated the basic position of the Government of Japan to date. President Obama then provided an explanation of the United States’ stance, for which the Prime Minister expressed his support. They also confirmed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This is something that the Government has continued to state since the situation started in Ukraine. The two leaders also confirmed the importance of the G7 Leaders’ Statement and agreed to respond to the issue while communicating with each other.

REPORTER: Could you tell us what kind of functions the National Security Council (NSC) is fulfilling with regard to the situation in Ukraine. Could you also share with us whether the Government plans to hold the four ministers' meeting of the NSC and other such meetings to discuss the situation? It appears that full-fledged discussions have yet to be held.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, a four ministers' meeting of the NSC has been held on this matter. If I recall correctly, on Sunday March 2, I received a report on the situation from the Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat and others. In this way the Government is making a thorough response.

REPORTER: I have a question about sharing intelligence with other countries. Is Japan currently sharing intelligence with Russia, the countries of the European Union and the United States?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is a confidential matter relating to intelligence, I would like to refrain from making any comment. However, I would say that the NSC is naturally taking actions that are in line with the purposes for which it was established.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: For confirmation, are we to understand that the telephone talks between Prime Minister Abe and President Obama did not cover any issues other than Ukraine?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The talks were almost entirely about the situation in Ukraine.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that following the telephone talks, Ambassador Kennedy visited the Prime Minister’s Office and held a meeting with the Prime Minister for approximately one and a half hours. Was the main theme of that meeting also ultimately about Ukraine?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that in the meeting the Prime Minister and the Ambassador deepened their friendship over lunch. I do not know the specific details about what was discussed.

(Abridged)