Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue concerning the Trans- Pacific Partnership

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial-level talks between Japan and the United States. The talks ended earlier today and it appears that United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman said that there were significant gaps in major areas. Could you first tell us if you have received a report from Minister Amari? Could you also share with us your outlook for the next steps and so forth?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The talks only just ended and I have not yet been in contact with Minister Amari. Therefore, at this point in time I do not have a comprehensive understanding of the situation. If USTR Froman did indeed say that there were significant gaps, I can only assume that that is true. Regardless, I believe that Minister Amari will share information on this in a doorstep interview or via other means. The talks only just ended, and so far, I have not yet received any further information.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. Since there are currently significant gaps, is it correct to assume that you are unlikely to reach a general agreement by the summit meeting on April 24?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not yet been informed of the outcome of the talks, including with regard to the content of your question. I would therefore like to refrain from commenting.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question on TPP. I believe that earlier you were speaking with Minister Amari in the National Diet Building, presumably about the ongoing progress of the meeting. Could you share with us how the meeting was progressing at that point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Minister Amari was indeed giving me a report on the ongoing progress of the meeting. However, he told me that they were only going to begin discussing specifics from that time on. By "from that time on" he meant the meeting that was to commence at 2 pm. I understand that both parties discussed principle matters in the morning.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the right of collective self-defense. During yesterday's press conference, you said that the Government would announce its policy after receiving a report from the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security. Could you share with us what you expect the policy to entail? Could you also tell us the purpose for which the policy will be used?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have in fact explained this in response to questions in the Diet. The Government’s stance is as follows. Once we receive the report of the Advisory Panel, we will set out the basic policy of the Government while referencing said report. We will then hold further discussions while taking into account the views of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau and consulting the ruling parties. After that we would seek Cabinet approval and also hold Diet discussions on the matter. This is as I have explained on several occasions in the Diet.

REPORTER: If I may follow up, could you tell us the purpose for which the Government is developing this policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Once we have received the report, we do not consider it simply have discussion in the ruling parties regard this issue based solely on said report. Rather, we believe the Government should after all establish a basic policy that takes into consideration the report, as well as the views of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. It is then that we should consult with the ruling parties. This is merely what I have said to date.

REPORTER: You just said that the Government will signify a basic policy. Do you envision this being something like a Government draft that would be put up for Cabinet approval?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It would be the Government's basic policy and we would hold various discussions on this with members of the ruling parties. This is as I have just said, and as I have explained in response to questions in the Diet. There is absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about such an understanding.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of the right of collective self-defense. How long after receiving the Advisory Panel's report does the Government intend to announce its policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not yet made that decision. The discussions of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security are in their final stages. As the Government, when we share our views with the ruling parties, we must of course also present our basic policy, and we will do so while taking into consideration the opinions of the Advisory Panel. By presenting our basic policy we hope to deepen discussions on the matter.

REPORTER: Would the Government announce a basic policy immediately or do you expect that a certain amount of time would be needed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security has convened a number of times to date and has therefore they made large part of their basic views clear. The Government will draw upon these basic views, as well as the various opinions expressed in the Diet and develop our basic policy accordingly.

REPORTER: Please allow me to follow up. I understand that the Government is seeking Cabinet approval during the current Diet session. Do you believe that this will be possible?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I have been trying to explain is that the Government will explain its basic policy to the ruling parties. If we can come to an agreement with the ruling parties then we will be able to gain Cabinet approval. However, we have not set any specific time limits for this.

REPORTER: Does that mean the Government is not necessarily focused on gaining Cabinet approval during the current session of the Diet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It depends on when we can come to an agreement with the ruling parties.