Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The petition presented by President of JA-ZENCHU
• The seizure of the vessel belonging to Japanese company
• The Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting

REPORTER: I believe that you received a visit from President Akira Banzai of JA-ZENCHU (Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives) earlier today. Can you first tell us about what you discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Mr. Banzai presented me with a petition concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

REPORTER: How did you respond to this petition?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I told Mr. Banzai that we are conducting negotiations as firmly as we can and are seeking to protect national interests.

REPORTER: My question relates to the seizure of the vessel belonging to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Yesterday, the group supporting this lawsuit stated that they are preparing to submit a similar lawsuit in Tianjin, China. What are your thoughts on this? Could you also comment on the fact that this action contradicts the purport of the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not know the specifics and would therefore like to refrain from commenting. In any case, the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China was mutually and officially signed by both counties. I believe that is all there is to the matter.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A JNN report has revealed that during the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting held in The Hague, Netherlands last month, President Obama told Prime Minister Abe that he would not do anything to cause any problems for the Prime Minister in relation to the agricultural aspects of the TPP. How does the Japanese Government evaluate this statement and how has this affected Japan’s negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this statement and I would assume that President Obama probably never said those words.

REPORTER: In either case, if Japan and the United States reach an agreement on the TPP negotiations, will the Government be able to state with conviction that the agreement will not cause political problems for Prime Minister Abe?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, I do not think President Obama ever said those words. In any case, we have in fact fully entrusted Minister Amari with the negotiations. We are conducting negotiations as firmly as we can, while seeking to protect national interests.

REPORTER: I have a related question. United States Trade Representative Michael Froman arrived in Japan this morning ahead of President Obama, and I believe he will probably be negotiating with Minister Amari. What type of negotiations do you anticipate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was not aware that he arrived before President Obama and I do not know the current situation surrounding the negotiations. Nevertheless, as I said before, Japan’s position is in any case very clear. As such, I believe that Minister Amari is conducting the negotiations as the very representative of Japan.

(Abridged)