Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Tomorrow, Prime Minister Abe will visit Osaka Prefecture. The Prime Minister will visit three small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Osaka Prefecture. He is expected to exchange views with the management and employees of the enterprises to gauge the conditions and challenges facing SMEs.

Q&As

• The issue concerning ferry accident in Republic of Korea
• The issue regarding research whaling
• Japan-Republic of Korea director- general-level consultation
• The situation in Ukraine
• The Annual Spring Festival at Yasukuni Shrine

REPORTER: My question concerns the sinking passenger ferry in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Rescue activities are ongoing, with the safety of approximately 290 people still unaccounted for. What information is the Japanese Government currently aware of? Also, if I may confirm one more time, have you since acquired any information indicating that Japanese nationals were onboard the passenger ferry?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, on the 16th, a passenger ferry was involved in a tragic accident and is sinking in the sea off Jindo Island in the ROK. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims. I would also like to express my sympathies to those affected by this incident. Furthermore, I sincerely hope that the missing people are rescued as quickly as possible. I understand that full-fledged rescue activities are currently underway in the ROK. Japan has informed the ROK that we stand ready to offer as much cooperation as we can. At this present stage, we have not received any information to suggest that any Japanese nationals were among those affected.

REPORTER: You stated that Japan would offer as much cooperation as possible. At this point in time, have you received a request for assistance from the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of any such information. I understand that full-fledged rescue activities are currently underway in the ROK.

REPORTER: You stated that Japan stands ready to offer cooperation. Is there anything specifically that Japan has done to prepare itself?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Full-fledged rescue activities are currently underway in the ROK and we have communicated to the ROK that we are eager to help if the ROK needs anything from Japan.

REPORTER: Does this cover a wide range of activities, including rescue efforts and the provision of supplies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We informed the ROK that we stand ready to do everything that we can.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding research whaling. Some parts of the media are reporting that the departure of the research whaling fleet to the Northwest Pacific that was scheduled for the 22nd will be postponed. Could you firstly tell us if this is true or not?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand no such decision has been made.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the departure of the research whaling fleet. The Northwest Pacific is not listed as a no-whaling zone in the judgment that the International Court of Justice recently delivered. Do you nevertheless perceive it to be difficult to continue Japan’s current practices with regard to research whaling?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Under the leadership of both the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, we are studying what is stated in the judgment, including the matter you have just raised, and are currently considering our course of actions.

REPORTER: Japan-ROK director-general-level consultations took place yesterday afternoon. Have you received any information regarding the outcome of the consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not been briefed since yesterday regarding the developments following the end of the consultations. Nevertheless, I consider it a positive development that dialogue and talks took place.

REPORTER: Regarding the situation in Ukraine, it seems that the anti-government unrest is spreading from eastern to southern Ukraine. The United States has conveyed that it is prepared to impose further costs on Russia. What is the opinion of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan will work with the relevant countries, in particular the G7, to deal with this matter, while closely following the situation in Ukraine.

REPORTER: The topic of additional sanctions has been raised recently and it appears the situation in Ukraine has gradually been changing. What is your view regarding sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is still in the process of gauging the situation. We are currently exchanging a variety of information among the G7 countries. Therefore, under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan will first make thorough efforts to gauge the current situation.

REPORTER: Over the past several days, there have been a lot of questions about the visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida to Russia. Around when do you expect to make a decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We should be making a decision sometime soon. We will be basing our decision on the current situation.

REPORTER: The Annual Spring Festival at Yasukuni Shrine will start from April 21. Prime Minister Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine on December 26 last year. Is it possible that the Prime Minister will visit the shrine for this festival?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister has stated to date, we will not make any official announcement regarding whether he will or will not visit the shrine.