Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue of a large earthquake in Chile
• The series of lawsuits being filed in China over the forcible recruitment
• The issue of a collective self-defense

REPORTER: I believe that there was a large earthquake off the coast of Chile. To the extent that you are currently aware, could you please tell us about the impact on Japan?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: In the coastal areas off Chile, a tsunami of up to 2.11 meters was observed. From a Japanese standpoint, first of all, the Government strengthened its information gathering mechanisms immediately after the earthquake occurred. From 2 pm today, a disaster warning meeting among relevant ministries and agencies will be held with the attendance of Minister of State for Disaster Management Furuya. We will take appropriate responses in a timely fashion according to the expected height of the tsunami when it reaches Japan. According to forecasts the tsunami will reach Japan at around 5 to 6 am tomorrow morning in the earliest instances. The expected height of the tsunami when it reaches Japan is currently under review. According to the expected height, the Japan Meteorological Agency will issue a tsunami warning and announce other relevant information. Therefore, we ask that people in coastal areas in particular pay full attention to tsunami information.  

REPORTER: Do you have any information regarding the safety of Japanese nationals in Chile?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: At the moment, together with the Japanese Embassies in nearby Peru and Ecuador, the Japanese Embassy in Chile is leading efforts to confirm whether or not any Japanese nationals have been affected. As things stand, we have not received any information about any Japanese nationals being affected. Incidentally, I understand that there are several dozen Japanese residents in Iquique Province in Chile, the province closest to the site of the earthquake, based on information from submitted residence forms.    

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the series of lawsuits being filed in China over the forcible recruitment of Chinese workers during wartime. Today, in Hebei Province, around 100 people are expected to file a collective lawsuit. In addition to this, this group of plaintiffs is expected to hold a networking meeting with a group of plaintiffs in the Republic of Korea (ROK) that also started a lawsuit. What is your reaction to this? 

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: In any case, Japan considers that, first of all, the issue of various claims between Japan and the ROK was resolved fully and definitively with the signing of the Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation. Therefore, we will deal with the matter in an appropriate manner in accordance with this stance. Furthermore, with regard to the issue of claims between Japan and China, it is the consistent position of the Government of Japan that such issues no longer exist following the issuance of the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. In any case, we will fully deal with these matters based on this position.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the right to collective self-defense. It looks as though the submission of the report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security will be postponed until after the holidays in early May. Does this mean that the Government will engage in careful discussions in the meantime, while following the developments of the discussions among the ruling parties? How do you view the current situation? 

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: In the first place, it is not the case that there is some kind of set deadline for the discussions of the Advisory Panel. Rather, the members of the Advisory Panel will carry out thorough discussions, and once they ultimately reach a conclusion, we will receive this in the form of a report. The discussions of the Advisory Panel are not related to the parties’ discussions or other such matters. Furthermore, it is also not the case that we have requested the submission of the report by a certain month. Rather, I understand that at this stage, the members of the Advisory Panel are steadily carrying out the final phase of the discussions. It is my hope that they make thorough efforts to deepen discussions. In any case, at this present stage, the timing for the submission of the report is still undecided.