Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (PM) (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Attendance of Australian Prime Minister Abbott to the National Security Council

REPORTER: The National Security Council (NSC) meeting was just held with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in attendance. Could you share with us what topics you discussed? Also, I understand that this was the first time that a foreign head of state attended an NSC meeting. What were the aims of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, earlier today we held a special NSC meeting with the attendance of Prime Minister Abbott of Australia, who is currently visiting Japan, and we exchanged views. Prime Minister Abe, Deputy Prime Minister Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida, Minister of Defense Onodera and I all attended the meeting. During the special meeting, we held extensive discussions on how we can elevate the close security cooperation between our two countries to another level, and further contribute to regional stability. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abbott commended the role Japan has played to date in building peace and security around the world and the contributions it has made to the establishment of the rule of law. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for these comments. Furthermore, in recognition of Japan as an important special partner, Prime Minister Abbott also expressed a strong desire to further enhance cooperation between Japan and Australia beyond the current economic and trade relationship and extending it to include security cooperation in a variety of fields. The participation of Prime Minister Abbott in the NSC meeting assured us that the Japan-Australia relationship will be further enhanced through economic and security partnership.

REPORTER: You mentioned that Prime Minister Abbott expressed his desire to enhance cooperation in security fields. Did you exchange opinions on the joint development of defense equipment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from mentioning the details of the individual topics that we discussed.

REPORTER: Prime Minister Abbott said that in terms of defense equipment, Australia is currently interested in Japanese submarines. I assume that Japanese submarines are almost 100% made in Japan, or at least largely made in Japan, and are therefore highly classified technology. Is it possible Japan will cooperate with Australia in some way in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We exchanged opinions on a broad range of topics.

REPORTER: You just said that Prime Minister Abbott commended Japan's contribution to the establishment of the rule of law. Am I right to understand that this comment was made with China's naval expansion in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that Prime Minister Abbott made the comments in a general context.

REPORTER: During today's special NSC meeting, did you exchange any opinions with China in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We did not single out any specific countries.

REPORTER: This question may be similar to the first question asked about the NSC, but first of all I would like to know the reason for holding this meeting with the participation of Prime Minister Abbott? Could you also share with us if the Government intends to hold similar meetings during future visits of other foreign heads of state?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, I would like you to understand that the purpose of today's meeting was to exchange opinions on how we can further elevate the close security cooperation between Japan and Australia to another level, and contribute to regional stability.

REPORTER: Is it likely that similar meetings will be held with other foreign heads of state?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will decide that on a case by case basis. I would think there are a variety of factors to consider, such as the schedules of the respective leaders.

REPORTER: Did you discuss anything relating to the right to collective self-defense?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from discussing the details. However, what I will say is that we exchanged opinions on a broad range of topics, including security and economics.