Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The ferry accident in the Republic of Korea
• The seizure of the Japanese vessel by China
• The Annual Spring Festival of Yasukuni Shrine
• President Obama’s visit to Japan
• The issue of Trans-Pacific Partnership

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to the ferry accident in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Last Friday you said that the Japanese Government is ready to offer any assistance necessary. Could you please inform us if there have been any requests from the ROK to the Government or to the private sector?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister announced recently, he has instructed all ministers to do everything possible to help. The Japan Coast Guard and other public organizations communicated our readiness to offer assistance, but I believe that due to the great confusion following the accident, they were perhaps not ready to accept the offers. I do not know of any requests from the ROK to the Government, nor to the private sector.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the seizure of the vessel belonging to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Did the Japanese Government lodge a protest this afternoon, or has the Chinese Government provided some kind of explanation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are first gathering information from the Chinese Government via diplomatic routes to gain a concrete understanding of the situation.

REPORTER: My question concerns Yasukuni Shrine. The Prime Minister offered a votive stick this morning on the occasion of the Annual Spring Festival and this has given rise to objections by both the Chinese and ROK Governments. The spokesperson of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a commentary that said that Prime Minister Abe’s offering to the shrine as well as the visits thereto by Cabinet members run directly counter to Prime Minister Abe’s pledge to inherit the historical perspective of former Japanese Cabinets. Furthermore, they are anachronistic moves that undermine the stability in the region as well as the good-neighborly relations among countries in Asia.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that this is at all true. The Prime Minister offered the votive stick in a private capacity, so I do not believe that this is something the Government should comment on. Furthermore, the decision of whether or not to visit Yasukuni shrine should be left to the discretion of the Prime Minister.

REPORTER: During this morning's press conference, you said that the offering should not have any impact on the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Did the Japanese Government notify the U.S. Government prior to when the offering was made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, I do not believe that there is any need at all to notify the U.S. Government about this. I believe that it is not unusual for a political leader to clasp his hands together to pray for the repose of the souls of those who sacrificed their precious lives for Japan. Therefore, the Prime Minister decided to offer a votive stick in a private capacity and I do not think that there is any need at all to notify the U.S. Government about this. I also believe that this will not have any impact on the Japan-U.S. summit meeting.

REPORTER: President Obama is scheduled to visit Japan from April 23. My question is in relation to President Obama's tour of Asia. The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that it is a very dangerous tour that will drive the region toward confrontation. Some believe that North Korea might go ahead with its nuclear program and conduct a missile test. Does the Japanese Government have any information in relation to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government views North Korea's nuclear development program with grave concern and is always gathering and analyzing information. In any case, this matter concerns intelligence and I must therefore refrain from answering your question.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). In a speech made this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida said in relation to the TPP negotiations that the President's visit to Japan is not a deadline for the negotiations. However he did acknowledge that Prime Minister Abe and President Obama may make a major political decision at the end of the summit meeting. Minister Kishida said that the President's visit to Japan is not a deadline for TPP negotiations, but some think that Japan and the United States will reach a general agreement at the upcoming summit meeting. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Many views have been expressed on this matter and the media has been reporting numerous things. As I said this morning, most of those media reports are not based on fact. I believe that following the previous talks, Minister Amari stated that some degree of progress has been made, but that there still remains a significant gap between the positions of the two countries. This is in fact the case. Therefore, it is as Minister Kishida said. The President's visit to Japan is not any kind of deadline for TPP negotiations.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. I would like to ask a question concerning the U.S.-ROK free trade agreement (FTA). In the case of the U.S.-ROK FTA, the two sides did in fact reach an agreement through an ROK political decision that was made at the U.S.-ROK summit meeting. In light of this, am I right to think that the TPP negotiations the Government is currently working on will therefore not be concluded at the summit meeting or some other such occasion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister entrusts all responsibility for the TPP negotiations to Minister Amari. United States Trade Representative Froman and Minister Amari have been engaged in negotiations and in fact, today the negotiations hit the 30-hour mark. I think both individuals probably consider their counterpart to be a tough negotiator. Nevertheless we are currently conducting negotiations as firmly as we can and are seeking to protect national interests. The Prime Minister and I received a briefing from Minister Amari the other day and we have every confidence in Minister Amari.

(Abridged)