Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved seven general and other measures as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning changes to the basic plan relating to the preparation of official statistics and also about the report relating to the provisions of Article 106-25(1) of the National Public Service Act. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and the Minister of Justice made statements concerning the results of the administrative evaluation and monitoring relating to support measures for social rehabilitation of former prison inmates and others. The Minister of Justice made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to the head of the Japan Legal Support Center. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to the heads of independent administrative agencies, national university corporations, and other entities. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Minister of Defense each made statements concerning personnel affairs relating to the heads of independent administrative agencies. I made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the promotion of electronic approval in the Government.

Q&As

• The issue of The Hague Declaration by G7 nations
• The issue regarding bilateral relations between Japan and Russia
• The issue regarding assistance to Ukraine

REPORTER: The G7 nations issued The Hague Declaration. Could you once again explain the aims of this declaration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly I would like to comment particularly on relation of Japan to the declaration as a whole. With regard to support to Ukraine, the G7 confirmed that they would act unitedly to ensure the economic stability of Ukraine. Japan announced that it would provide a maximum of 150 billion yen in support and this announcement was highly evaluated by many countries. Concerning the response to Russia, the Prime Minister has stated that Japan cannot accept an attempt to change the status quo with force in the background. This applies not also only to Ukraine, but is a matter of the utmost importance for the international community as a whole, including Asia. Furthermore, we were able to gain the approval of many participants for this. The Prime Minister also noted the necessity of continuing dialogue with Russia and resolving the issue by diplomatic means. In addition, Japan has joined the G7 nations in strongly condemning the illegal actions taken by Russia on this occasion and confirmed that it will continue to act in cooperation with the other G7 nations. With regard to the handling of the G8 Summit that is scheduled to be held in Sochi in Russia this year, the G7 nations confirmed that under these circumstances they will not participate in the Sochi Summit. Instead, we will meet again in the G7 format at the same time as the Sochi Summit was planned, in June 2014, in Brussels, to discuss the broad agenda we have together. Japan will continue to cooperate with the other G7 nations and also maintain communication with Russia, in order to play a role in the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of this issue. This is our view on the matter.

REPORTER: On a related note, I get the feeling that Japan is now acting in step with the other G7 nations and strengthening its criticism of Russia. What are your views on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Right from the beginning Japan has been cooperating with the G7 in taking actions and we have also clearly stated that Japan will maintain communication with Russia, while cooperating with the G7, in order to play a role in the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of this issue. Right from the beginning there has been no change to this stance.

REPORTER: On a related note, this declaration essentially removes Russia from the G8 for the time being. Could you once again explain how effective this measure will be and how the Government will move forward with its diplomacy with Russia?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the G8, as is written in the recent declaration, the G7 will suspend our participation in the G8 until Russia changes course and the environment comes back to where the G8 is able to have a meaningful discussion. Therefore, this does not mean that Russia is to be permanently excluded from the G8. The G7 will seek a diplomatic resolution with Russia and urge Russia to take responsible actions. Japan also hopes that the circumstance will come back to where the G8 is able to have a meaningful discussion.

REPORTER: The Japanese Government has plans for Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida to visit Russia and for President Putin to visit Japan. How does the Government intend to respond to these plans?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, these are both matters that will take place in the future and at the current point nothing has been decided.

REPORTER: I have a related question. How does the Government intend to proceed with regard to further sanctions against Russia?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, the Government will wait to see how Russia responds to the G7 declaration. As the Government has stated, it is clear that Japan can never overlook Russia’s attempt to change the status quo with force in the background. In any case, we will continue to address this matter in cooperation with the G7.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Although Japan is now acting in step with the other G7 countries, the Government is also stating that it will continue dialogue with Russia. What kind of impact do you envision on future Japan-Russia relations, particularly regarding the issue of the Northern Territories?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I think that it is justly natural for the Government to assert what needs to be asserted. (Abridged) In a sense it is only natural that Japan would cooperate closely with the G7, while also maintaining communication with Russia, and take actions towards achieving a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the issue.

REPORTER: Via this press conference and also the remarks by the Prime Minister, the Government has constantly stated that Japan cannot tolerate any attempt to change the status quo with force in the background. You also just stated that this applies around the world. When you say this, are you naturally doing so with the moves by China, the dispute over the Senkaku Islands, or other such situations in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is emphasizing the fact that this is a matter of concern for the international community as a whole, including Asia. At the same time each of the G7 countries are of course supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. In this way all countries agree and are responding in exactly the same manner.

REPORTER: I have a related question. China has held back its criticism of Russia’s recent actions in relation to Ukraine. In fact, there is a sense that China might be seeking to create a kind of new order together with Russia. What are your views on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In my position as a representative of Japan I do not think that I should make any comment about what actions China will take. In any case, many countries around the world, including the G7 nations, have demonstrated their understanding that any attempt to change the status quo with force in the background is unacceptable. The G7 countries are emphasizing that this is not simply an issue that is limited to Ukraine, nor is it just about Asia; rather it is an issue of the utmost importance for the international community as a whole. Countries concerned concur with this view and are responding accordingly.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the matter of Japan-Russia relations please. You just stated that nothing is decided in response to a question concerning plans for Foreign Minister Kishida to visit Russia and for President Putin to visit Japan. Are we to understand that there is no change to the fact that these visits are still planned?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November last year, the ministers agreed that Foreign Minister Kishida would visit Russia this spring. However, no specific schedule has yet been decided. We will make a comprehensive decision that addresses all such relevant details.

REPORTER: I have a related question regarding the Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues which was also scheduled to take place next month in conjunction with the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Japanese companies and others were also expected to participate in discussions on economic issues at this meeting. Can we understand that it is still the case that nothing has been decided for this meeting as well?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to economic, cultural or other such exchanges, I do not think that the Government should intervene in events or meetings that have already been scheduled. In fact there was recently some economic exchange between Japan and Russia.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding assistance to Ukraine. Prime Minister Abe mentioned financial support for the implementation of the presidential election in Ukraine, as well as personnel contributions. He mentioned this on such occasions as his meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom. Could you tell us specifically what assistance to Ukraine will entail?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Prime Minister stated that it is of the utmost importance for all members of the international community to provide assistance to Ukraine. This is to restore economic stability to the country, which is facing a severe economic situation due to the current political turmoil. The G7 nations are all also in agreement with this. For this backdrop, the Prime Minister announced that Japan would provide assistance amounting to a maximum of 150 billion yen, presuppose that the International Monetary Fund and the Government of Ukraine reach an agreement with regard to economic reforms. Of this 150 billion yen I understand that 110 billion will be in yen loans.