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 17 general and other measures, the promulgation of a treaty, draft bills, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Shindo made a statement concerning the situation of local public finance and concerning the draft of the Act to Prepare Related Laws for the Promotion of Reform to Enhance Local Autonomy and Independence The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the situation of the annual spring wage offensive. I made a statement concerning the status of the Cabinet meeting regarding the draft bills and treaties that the Cabinet plans to submit to the 186th (Ordinary) Session of the Diet, among other matters.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Inada made a statement concerning the submission of draft bills related to the reform of independent administrative agencies to the Diet. I made a statement concerning the partial return of the remuneration of Ministers and other Cabinet members.

I would like to make an announcement regarding the return of the remuneration of Ministers. The Cabinet will continue to steadily promote administrative and fiscal reforms. As part of these efforts, we decided that from April, we will return to the national treasury an amount equivalent to the remuneration reduction, pursuant to the existing Act on the Revision of the Remuneration of National Public Servants and Temporary Special Provisions. We confirmed that we share the same understanding on this point in today’s ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting. Besides Ministers, we also intend to ask Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to share the same view about the return of their remuneration, based on an understanding of the purpose of this measure.  

Q&As

• The issues related to Japan-Republic of Korea relations
• The issues related to the situation in Crimea
• The issues related to the expansion of employment of foreign workers
• The issues related to hate speech

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the Japan-North Korea relations. The Japanese and North Korean Red Cross Societies will hold talks again in Shenyang, China on both the 19th and 20th. Diplomatic authorities from both governments will also be attending. In 2012, the Noda Cabinet at the time postponed formal bilateral consultations at the director-general level between foreign ministries, due to North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile. Does Japan plan to take this opportunity of the Red Cross talks to establish an environment for resuming formal consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Red Cross Societies decided from a humanitarian perspective to hold these talks as a follow-up to the Japan-North Korea Red Cross talks on March 3. The Red Cross talks will be held to discuss issues such as the remains of Japanese nationals left in North Korea following the war, and visiting burial sites. The upcoming talks will be merely held between the Japanese and North Korean Red Cross Societies. Nothing has yet been decided about the director-general-level intergovernmental consultations.  

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japanese Government’s policy towards North Korea. Is it possible that the Government will, for example, decide to resume the consultations by lifting the postponement measure, even if North Korea makes no concessions on the nuclear and missile issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The basic policy of the Government is dialogue and pressure. In this sense, our basic stance is to work towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues, including the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues, while coordinating with relevant countries in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration.

REPORTER: Prime Minister Abe has repeatedly expressed his strong determination to resolve the abduction issue while he is in office. On the other hand, the Abe administration pledges to comprehensively resolve the nuclear, missile, and abduction issues, as you just stated. Will the Government be pursuing the simultaneous settlement of the abduction issue, and the nuclear and missile issue? Or is there an opportunity that the Government will engage in negotiations with North Korea with the aim of first resolving the abduction issue? Can you please comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will aim to comprehensively resolve these issues based on our basic policy of dialogue and pressure. In any case, the Abe cabinet is working with a strong determination to resolve the abduction issue under the Prime Minister‘s leadership.

REPORTER: According to media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider sanctions against Russia prior to the referendum in Crimea on the 16th. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this. However, Japan-Russia foreign ministerial telephone talks were held on the evening of the 11th. During the talks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida expressed concern to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov about the holding of the referendum on the 16th regarding whether the Autonomous Republic of Crimea should become Russian territory. It is true that Minister Kishida strongly expressed to Minister Lavrov that Japan will not accept any attempt to alter the status quo by coercive measures. It is also true that he strongly urged Russia to aim to settle the situation in a peaceful manner.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It was reported today that the Japanese Government began full-fledged considerations of accepting vast numbers of immigrants to Japan. According to the media reports, preliminary calculations indicate significant population decreases can be avoided for 100 years if Japan accepts 200,000 immigrants every year. Can you confirm the facts? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, a body called the “Committee for the Japan’s Future” was established under the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy in January of this year. It is true that discussions are being held at this Committee for realizing the mid- to long-term development of Japan, with an eye on structural changes, including population decline. It is also true that during the third meeting of the Committee, which was held on the 24th of last month, an expert presented the idea that expanding the employment of foreign workers was one option for Japan, in light of its decreasing population. However, it is not true that the Government made such a decision.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding hate speech in connection with yesterday’s issue involving the Urawa Reds. The Government has set a target of increasing the number of foreign tourists who visit Japan. Against this backdrop, can you please explain how the Government will tackle hate speech, such as yesterday’s issue involving the Urawa Reds?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is carrying out various awareness-raising campaigns aimed at eradicating bias and discrimination against foreign nationals. We will continue to proactively conduct awareness-raising activities under the leadership of the MOJ. The Government will thoroughly implement these efforts.

REPORTER: I would think this issue also concerns freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. In that respect, I gather it would be quite difficult for the Government to take compulsory measures. What are your thoughts in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, so-called hate speech, which refers to extreme behavior intended to ostracize foreigners of particular nationalities, not only makes people feel a sense of loathing, but could also very well perpetuate discriminatory thinking. It is the policy of Japan to realize a prosperous and mature society where the human rights of each and every person are respected. In this sense, the recent incident is extremely regrettable and deplorable.

(Abridged)