Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
・Detection of avian influenza
・Assignment of the New President of the National Personnel Authority
・Superconducting Maglev technology

REPORTER: The H5 substrain of avian influenza was detected at a poultry farm in Kumamoto. At this point in time, have there been any signs of the disease spreading? Can you please also explain the Government’s response? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not received any such reports at this moment. I was informed today that about 82,000 chickens have been culled already. Furthermore, the relevant ministries and agencies are working together to deal with the situation, including the establishment of around 11 disinfection stations for vehicles. 

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Government’s response yesterday. I understand that as of 8:30 am, the Prime Minister made contact and issued three instructions, including information gathering and infection control measures. What was the basis of the Prime Minister’s decision to continue golfing afterwards?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to yesterday’s case, we held a meeting among the relevant ministers so as not to cause unnecessary concern to the public. We made this decision based on a comprehensive view, taking into consideration the fact that this was not the H7 strain of avian influenza found in China since last year, which can be transmitted among humans; that this was the H5 substrain of avian influenza, which has a very low risk of transmission; and that yesterday infected chickens were only found in one poultry farm. The Government is taking thorough measures based on the Prime Minister’s instructions.

REPORTER: I may confirm then, are you saying that the Prime Minister would have rushed back to the Prime Minister’s Office and dealt with the outbreak if it had been the H7 strain? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That I do not know. I cannot comment on hypothetical situations. In any case, we are running the government with the very safety of the people being our top priority. In light of this, in yesterday’s case, we made a decision based on the circumstances I described.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have another question in relation to the Prime Minister and golf. I would think that the Prime Minister could have at least stopped golfing temporarily to be briefed on the situation and so on. Could you comment on this point?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister was receiving instructions from the Prime Minister and was working in coordination with him to take thorough measures. Therefore, I believe there was absolutely no need for the Prime Minister to stop golfing midway. Preventing unnecessary concern to the public is also part of managing crises, isn’t it?

REPORTER: Nevertheless, I understand that yesterday’s round of golf was a private affair. Do you have any comments in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is not a matter of whether it was private or not. As some parts of the media reported, the UK Ambassador to Japan was there, but it was not a diplomatic consideration. Rather yesterday’s case was not the one that required the Prime Minister to come to the Prime Minister’s Office and hold a meeting.

REPORTER: I think one could interpret this as the Prime Minister prioritizing a private matter over official duties.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are no grounds for that at all, because we took thorough responses.

REPORTER: Regarding the decision to use the system that was ultimately adopted yesterday, was this made under your leadership? Was it the Prime Minister’s idea? Or did you both decide on it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We were working in coordination with the Prime Minister, and adopted the responses we did from a crisis management point of view.

REPORTER: Does that mean you discussed this with the Prime Minister and arrived at this decision together?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all a full report of the current situation on the ground was made via the Executive Secretary. Then, as I explained moments ago, we decided that it was the best to thoroughly address the situation among the relevant ministers. In making this decision, we took into consideration the fact that this was not the H7 strain of avian influenza, for which cases of human transmission have been found in the past; that this was the H5 substrain of avian influenza, which has a very low risk of transmission; and that infected chickens were only found on one poultry farm.  

REPORTER: So the Government determined that the latest case of avian influenza that has been detected did not threaten the lives and property of the people?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that is going too far. As I said, we held a meeting among the relevant ministers and are thoroughly dealing with the situation. We are thoroughly dealing with the situation in coordination with Kumamoto Prefecture. The avian influenza was officially detected yesterday morning, but we already imposed restrictions on movement from the evening before that. As such, we have been taking thorough responses.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, the Prime Minister gave a letter of assignment to Ms. Nahomi Ichimiya, President of the National Personnel Authority (NPA). Can you once again share your thoughts, your aims, and your expectations regarding the appointment of the first female NPA President? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, the Prime Minister gave Ms. Ichimiya a letter of assignment. This is indeed the first female President to be appointed to the NPA since it has been founded. The Abe administration is after all committed to create toward a society in which women shine, and as part of this endeavor, we asked the NPA to appoint Ms. Ichimiya as NPA President in light of her illustrious background, including serving as the chief justice of a number of courts, and the work she has done at the NPA.

REPORTER: According to some media reports, Japan and the United States are making final arrangements towards reaching an agreement on Japan’s provision of its Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) technology to the United States free of charge during the Japan-U.S. summit meeting on April 24. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at this time, nothing of the sort has been decided. In any case, I would think that we would examine the specifics, including the free provision of the technology, in view of the developments of the United States.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. Would JR Tokai indeed be the main party for the free provision of the technology?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, it would of course be JR Tokai.

REPORTER: What I mean is, would it not be a little strange for the Government to be doing this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Pardon?

REPORTER: It would seem a little strange for the Government to provide the technology for free.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I did not say a word about providing it for free.

REPORTER: I have a question with regard to the SCMAGLEV technology. Although I imagine this would be far in the future, as is often depicted in works of fiction like the comic series Golgo 13, it is possible that this technology could be converted for aircraft catapults on aircraft carriers, mass drivers, and ultimately, for aerospace-related weapons. What is your opinion on this? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I myself do not have a full knowledge of the technological details. However, I would say that I consider this SCMAGLEV technology to be a leading-edge technology that Japan has developed, and in a sense, I believe this is not simply the best bullet train but the best vehicle that Japan can share with the world. We very much hope to export Japanese technologies overseas, including to our ally, the United States. This is extremely important.

(Abridged)