Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&A

• The talks between Prime Minister Abe and President Elbegdorj of Mongolia
• The issue concerning the stock market
• Director-General-Level Intergovernmental consultation between Japan and Republic of Korea

REPORTER: I understand that today Prime Minister Abe and President Elbegdorj of Mongolia had talks over lunch. I believe that the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the facilitation of a meeting between Mr. and Mrs. Yokota and their granddaughter Ms. Kim Eun Gyong. I understand the two leaders also briefly discussed economic cooperation. Could you tell us exactly what they talked about?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, Prime Minister Abe and the Mongolian President held talks over lunch. The talks involved a small number of people and were carried out in a friendly atmosphere. The leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional affairs and cooperation in the international community, to further develop the two countries' strategic partnership. I have been informed that the President is visiting Japan to receive medical treatment.
During the talks, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for Mongolia's cooperation in facilitating the recent meeting between Mr. and Mrs. Yokota and their granddaughter Ms. Kim Eun Gyong in Ulan Bator. Moreover, the two leaders broadly exchanged opinions on regional Asian affairs.

REPORTER: Did they talk about the specifics of how to address the abduction issue? For example, did the Prime Minister ask for Mongolia's cooperation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The talks consisted of diplomatic discussions, so I would like to refrain from revealing the details at this time. I will say that the two leaders exchanged views concerning the state of the region as a whole, in view of the geopolitical conditions in Mongolia.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Does that then mean that the Prime Minister and the President discussed the current situation in North Korea, as well as the abduction issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from mentioning the details of the talks, but my understanding is that the two leaders exchanged opinions on the very state of the region and the broader international community.

REPORTER: Why was it that these talks were not on the Prime Minister's official schedule?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: President Elbegdorj wanted to simply hold friendly talks involving only a small number of people. Furthermore, given that the visit was primarily for the President's medical treatment, we decided to keep the talks unofficial.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the stock market. Today the Nikkei Stock Average was up more than 420 points when the market closed – a significant increase. What are your thoughts on this movement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from discussing fluctuations in stock prices to avoid causing unnecessary confusion in the market. However, I assume that today's significant gains may be attributed to a number of factors including high U.S. stock prices and the Chinese GDP results announced today, which were higher than expected. What is important now is to steadily advance the three arrows of economic policy, which is called “Abenomics”, while keeping a close eye on developments in the market.

REPORTER: I understand that you prefer not to make any comments in regard to movements of stock prices. Still, I believe the Abe administration has been keeping a particularly close eye on changes in the economy since the increase in consumption tax. As such, I would like to ask for your thoughts regarding the fact that even though the stock market continued its strong rise today, overall stock prices since April have nevertheless dropped substantially.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that stock prices have decreased that much since April. The raising of the consumption tax has resulted in rises and falls in the stock market, but I assume the movements were all within the expected margins. I do not believe that the prices have decreased that substantially.

REPORTER: I believe that Japan-ROK director-general-level intergovernmental consultations commenced around the same time as the meeting with the Mongolian President. I understand that today's main topic of discussion is the comfort women issue. Could you share with us what the Government expects from the consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Mr. Junichi Ihara, the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Director General of the Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs are meeting for consultations in Seoul. They are discussing the comfort women issue, but I would like to refrain from speculating prematurely on the details of the talks.

REPORTER: Next June marks the 50th anniversary since the signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea and normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Do you believe that Japan-ROK relations can be improved before next year's milestone year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan and the ROK are indeed neighboring countries and both countries uphold liberalism. In light of this, it is extremely important that we communicate with each other even when issues exist between our two countries. In this sense, today's director-general-level intergovernmental consultations are part of our efforts to facilitate effective communication.

REPORTER: The focus of the comfort women issue so far has been whether the Japanese Government recognizes some sort of legal responsibility. What is the stance of the Japanese Government on this during these consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government's basic stance on the comfort women issue is exactly as I have always stated it to be. We will not take a new stance for these consultations.

(Abridged)