Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have some announcements I would like to read out about the Cabinet meeting.The meeting approved 12 general and other measures, the promulgation of legislation, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Prime Minister Abe and Minister Shimomura made statements concerning the holding of a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I made a statement concerning the 2014 Spring Conferment of Decorations and Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.

Following today’s Cabinet meeting, the first meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games was convened. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and consists of all ministers of state. The purpose of the Council is to discuss key issues and to coordinate and arrange the logistics of each administrative department to facilitate smooth preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, while also giving consideration to making integrated preparations for the Rugby World Cup that will be held in 2019.

During the meeting, Minister Shimomura explained the items that the Government is expected to work on in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games, among other matters. Based on the explanation, the Prime Minister stated that the Government would fully mobilize measures while working with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Further information, please ask the respective relevant ministries. 

During today’s Cabinet meeting, the recipients of the 2014 Spring Conferment of Decorations and Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals were decided. They will be announced this coming April 29. The total number of recipients and the breakdown by decoration are as stated in the material distributed to you.

For more information, I ask that you direct your questions to the Decoration Bureau.

I would like to make an announcement regarding transcripts of Cabinet meetings and other discussions. Pursuant to the Cabinet decision approved this past March 28, from April we will be preparing and disclosing transcripts of Cabinet meetings and of the ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting. The transcript of the Cabinet meeting on April 1 will be made available on the website of the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon. We will be disclosing the transcripts of each meeting, in order, roughly three weeks from the date of the respective meeting. 

That is all from me.

Q&As

• Minister and 146 Diet member’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine
• The seizure of the vessel belonging to Japanese company

(Abridged)

REPORTER: This morning, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shindo and 146 Diet members visited Yasukuni Shrine. Can you please comment from the viewpoint of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that no matter what country you are from, it is a completely normal practice to clasp our hands together to pay our respects and pray for the repose of the souls of all those who had fought for the country and made ultimate sacrifices.
I am aware that a minister visited Yasukuni Shrine. Nevertheless, my understanding is that the visit was made in a private capacity. The basic view of the Abe administration is that a minister’s visit in a private capacity is a matter of personal religious freedom, and therefore, the Government should not intervene in such matters.

REPORTER: Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shindo also visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 12th. A visit to the shrine on the eve of President Obama’s visit to Japan could very well be seen as an act of provocation or a sign that Japan is ignoring the views of the United States, which was wary of Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine. What is your view in this regard? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not consider that to be the case.

REPORTER: You say that is not the case at all. However, in reality, the Republic of Korea and China are also protesting such visits. Objectively speaking, I think Japan’s neighbors are looking at the situation and wondering what the true intentions of the Abe Cabinet are. There seems to be some incongruence between the objective situation and the comment you just made. Could you comment on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Since its inauguration the Abe Cabinet has consistently upheld the view that a minister’s visit in a private capacity is a matter of personal religious freedom, and therefore, the Government should not intervene.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the seizure of the vessel belonging to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). China claims that this matter is an ordinary commercial contract dispute and is unrelated to the issue of war compensation. What is your assessment of China’s political intentions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the source of this civil lawsuit is a charter contract that was concluded in 1936 between a Chinese company and one of the predecessor companies of MOL. This charter contract itself is not directly related to the war. I understand that this contract was in fact concluded.
At the same time, in examining the background pertaining to this case, the truth of the matter is that it is difficult for the Government to make any definitive statements regarding the relationship between this lawsuit and the war.
In any case, as I stated yesterday, the series of responses that China has made in connection with this matter may discourage any Japanese companies from doing business in China, and therefore, the Japanese Government expresses deep concern. 

REPORTER: Since yesterday morning, has Japan lodged any protest or conveyed its regret to China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Through diplomatic channels, Japan conveyed its regret to China over the sudden seizure of the MOL vessel and is strongly urging China to respond appropriately. That is the current situation.
Today, we will continue to consider measures in coordination with MOL.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I understand you have been making inquiries with China since yesterday. Have you received any reply?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Nothing in particular. As I stated moments ago, through diplomatic channels, the Japanese Government is strongly urging the Chinese Government to respond appropriately.

REPORTER: I understand that since yesterday, some have asked whether Japan will refer this matter to the International Court of Justice. Have you considered this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, at this point in time, Japan is first urging China to respond appropriately.

(Abridged)