Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue of research whaling
• The reforms related to the Government Pension Investment Fund
• The issue regarding the comfort women

REPORTER: I have a question about research whaling. I understand that after receiving the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the Government has determined its policy on this matter. Could you please inform us of the details?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently making final arrangements within the Government regarding the implementation of this season’s research whaling in the Northwest Pacific. Once we have finalized the arrangements, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will announce the results.

REPORTER: Just to confirm, does this mean the Government has not yet determined its policy? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, I believe the Government is currently still in the process of making arrangements on this issue. We will announce the results of these arrangements once they are completed.

REPORTER: You mentioned the Northwest Pacific just now, and I have a related question. Is it also possible that the Government will announce its basic policy regarding research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, which the ICJ delivered a judgment against?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think the basic policy will include the Antarctic Ocean. Either way, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will make an announcement on this matter.

REPORTER: According to reports, I understand that research whaling will continue, but the Government is making final arrangements towards reducing the number of whales caught? Is my understanding correct?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are a wide range of viewpoints on this subject. As such we will also take the matter you mentioned into account when making arrangements.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding reforms related to the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). What is your assessment of the current state of the reforms?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, as the Prime Minister stated at the Davos meeting of the World Economic Forum in January, we will be carrying out reforms, including a review of the GPIF portfolio, with a view to exiting deflation. Based on the Prime Minister’s statement, we have examined the financing of pensions, and we are advancing reform in line with the report prepared under the leadership of Chairman Ito.  

REPORTER: Regarding the timing of the changes to the GPIF portfolio, Minister Aso has made comments that suggest the changes will be made in June. What are your thoughts regarding the timing?  
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on the timing. However I will say that reform efforts are already underway in accordance with the report of the advisory council from last autumn. This is how we intend to proceed.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask one more question. Could you tell us the reason why the members of the Investment Committee are being replaced, and whether the Government will be involved in the selection of replacement members?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, it is the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare who nominates the members. I believe the members’ terms will be coming to an end between April and summer this year. Therefore, it is my understanding that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is currently selecting members based on the report of the advisory council. 

REPORTER: I understand that Diet members from the Japan Restoration Party visited the Prime Minister’s Office earlier today and met with you (abridged). What did you discuss?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I received a petition regarding the comfort women issue. 

REPORTER: I believe it was a petition requesting a revision of the Kono Statement. Could you once again tell us the Government’s view regarding a revision, now that you have received this petition?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will not revise the Kono Statement. Prime Minister Abe has stated this unequivocally.

REPORTER: I believe the Government will make efforts to ascertain whether or not there were consultations between Japan and the Republic of Korea regarding the Kono Statement. Some have said that the Government will make a report on the outcomes during the current Diet session. What kind of schedule do you have in mind for the issuance of this report?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated here before, we are currently requesting the participation of a range of people, including those from the private sector and the legal community, as well as journalists and women. Once we have determined the committee members, we will ask them to proceed with the ascertainment efforts in an undisturbed setting. However, since the committee is not yet formed I would like to refrain from commenting here on whether the report will be ready in time for the current Diet session.

REPORTER: Just to confirm, does this mean you are not considering revising the Kono Statement at all, even though it is conceivable that there will be growing calls for the Government to do so from conservatives and others, as we have seen today? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have made our stance very clear.