Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary(Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

I would like to speak on the Prime Minister's schedule. On Saturday April 12, the Prime Minister is planning to visit Yamanashi Prefecture. More specifically, the Prime Minister will visit farms affected by the recent heavy snowfall to inspect their situation of recovery. Prime Minister Abe will also inspect the Maglev Test Line. The Prime Minister has always hoped to inspect the Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV), provided he had the time. Now he will finally be able to do so. I have been on the SCMAGLEV myself and consider it to truly be a symbol of advanced Japanese engineering technology. I also believe that this is a very competitive piece of technology we can market overseas. Notably, while acting as the top salesperson for Japan, Prime Minister Abe promoted the introduction of Japan’s Maglev technology for the United States’ Northeast Corridor in February at the occasion of Japan-U.S. Summit and President Obama expressed strong interest in the technology. This is one of many examples in which the Japanese Government is making proactive efforts to promote the project. We believe that the best way to promote the technology is to actually take a ride on the train. Therefore, Prime Minister Abe took this opportunity to invite Ambassador Caroline Kennedy to join him, and they will inspect the SCMAGLEV together.

Q&As

• issue of the textbook used in Taketomi
• relocation of the Futenma Air Station
• arting of nuclear power station
• issue concerning Trans-Pacific Partnership

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the issue of the textbook used in Taketomi. The Board of Education of Taketomi Town announced that it will not appeal against the Government's request that it take corrective action and replace the textbook. On the other hand, the Board of Education of Taketomi Town also announced that it will not replace the textbook. Could you share with us your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Autonomy Act, municipalities that are asked to take corrective action have a legal obligation to take the necessary measures to correct any infringement. However, if the municipality takes issue with the request, it has the right to ask the Central and Local Government Dispute Management Council to review the request. Despite this, the Board of Education of Taketomi Town intends to neither comply with the request nor request a review. This is extremely regrettable. Regardless, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology reported to me that they would consider further action, such as asking the Board of Education of Taketomi Town to submit a report.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Speaking in Washington on April 10, U.S. time, Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler, Okinawa Area Coordinator and the highest ranking serviceman in the U.S. Marines stationed in Japan, touched upon the feasibility of suspending U.S. operations at Futenma Air Station within the next five years. He clearly ruled out the possibility saying "the answer is no." Lt. Gen. Wissler also said that the suspension of operations would only take place after completion of the new base in Henoko, Nago City. Could you share with us your views on his comments? Could you also tell us how the Government intends to realize the suspension of operations within the next five years as requested by Okinawa Prefecture?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I have not yet been informed that Lt. Gen. Wissler made such comments. In any case, in addition to the Japanese Government, the United States and our other partners are part of this process as well. For its part, the Japanese Government will work as one and make utmost efforts to realize the requests of Governor Nakaima, which include the suspension of the operation of Futenma Air Station within the next five years. I would like to add that upon receiving a proposal from Governor Nakaima and Mayor Sakima of Ginowan City, the Government established the Council for Promoting the Alleviation of the Burden of Futenma Air Station in February. Through this council, the Government will work even more closely with Okinawa Prefecture and make every effort to reduce the burden placed on citizens of Okinawa and to eliminate the dangers presented by Futenma Air Station. Additionally, the national Government has also promised the relocation of 12 KC-130 aircraft to Iwakuni, I believe, by September and the relocation of half of the Osprey aircraft to a location outside Okinawa. We will take thorough measures to ensure that we will be able to steadily fulfil each of these promises.

REPORTER: Tomorrow, April 12, marks the 18th year since the Japanese and U.S. Governments agreed to the return of the land used by U.S. Forces at Futenma Air Station. The land has still not been returned. Could you share your thoughts with us as we approach the 18th year since the agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On behalf of the Government, I would first like to express my deep and sincere regret to all the citizens of Okinawa Prefecture for the fact that not much progress has been made over the last 18 years. The Government is determined to realize the elimination of the dangers posed by Futenma Air Station and the reduction of the burden borne by Okinawa. We will do our very best to align ourselves with the wishes of the citizens of Okinawa as we do so.

REPORTER: There is still deep-seated opposition to the relocation of the air station to Henoko among some citizens of Okinawa. How will the Government gain their understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government made this decision in the interest of Japan’s deterrence and in light of various considerations made between the Japanese and U.S. Governments. Governor Nakaima also approved this decision at the end of last year. As such, the Government will proceed carefully and steadily.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the restarting of nuclear power stations. Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to steadily proceed with the restarting of nuclear power stations for which the Nuclear Regulation Authority has given the green light. Does that mean that once the Nuclear Regulation Authority gives the go-ahead, Prime Minister Abe will then make the political decision as to whether the nuclear power station will be restarted?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: During the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives election campaigns, we announced campaign pledges in relation to the restarting of nuclear power stations. The Nuclear Regulation Authority is set to have the world's most stringent review standards and there has been no change to our intention to seek to restart the nuclear power stations that have been approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, in consultation with the affected local municipalities.

REPORTER: If the Prime Minister does not make a political decision on this matter, how will the Government take into account the divided public opinion when deciding whether or not to restart nuclear power stations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, during the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives election campaigns the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced an energy policy to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy over the next three years and make full use of renewable energy. What we must do now is decide the exact energy policy beyond that three year period. As such, our campaign pledge regarding nuclear power stations is therefore the following. We will work together with the affected local municipalities and seek to restart the nuclear power stations that have been approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which, as I said, is responsible for determining the safety of nuclear power stations based on criteria that are completely unrelated to political considerations. We will therefore proceed while providing thorough explanations to the public.

(Abridged)　

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to ask a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Policy Division of the LDP created a written resolution, which I believe was handed to you. The resolution states that the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) should represent an absolute limit that should not be exceeded in any future trade agreements. As the person who has received this resolution, how do you view this request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is aiming to achieve high levels of trade liberalization through the TPP but we are a long way from reaching a middle ground. Bearing in mind the resolution that the Diet has passed, the Japanese Government is currently conducting negotiations as firmly as we can and are seeking to protect national interests. That is all.

REPORTER: Very specific figures were made available in relation to the Japan-Australia EPA. Does the Government see these figures as a kind of limit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, bearing in mind the resolution that the Diet has passed, we are currently conducting negotiations as firmly as we can and are truly seeking to protect national interests. The Japanese Government is aiming to achieve a high level of trade liberalization through the TPP, but we are not the only party involved in the negotiations and are therefore still some way from reaching a middle ground.

(Abridged)