Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

I have one item to report, concerning the schedule of the Prime Minister. On Sunday, April 27, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit disaster-affected areas in Iwate Prefecture, where he will inspect the status of reconstruction among other matters. Specifically, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Noda Village and Iwaizumi Town, where he will inspect the status of the progress of reconstruction, including temporary apartment complexes, public housing for disaster victims, and works relating to relocation to higher ground. In addition he will also ride on the Sanriku Railway Company line that was fully reopened on April 6, confirming for himself the status of recovery along the rail line. At Tanohata Village the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the salmon hatchery plant, which was rebuilt last year and started to release salmon fly from this year.

Q&As

• The Japan-United States summit meeting

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-United States summit meeting. A joint statement has yet to be released, but based on the joint press conference that has already taken place, what is the Government’s evaluation of the summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the two leaders had dinner together last night in an extremely natural atmosphere, calling each other “Shinzo” and “Barack” and holding talks in a relaxed manner. My opinion is that by engaging in talks in such a frank and open manner, the two leaders were able to further build up the bonds and the role of the Japan-U.S. relationship. In terms of results, as you saw earlier, during the joint press conference held today, the two leaders had an opportunity to explain to their respective peoples the direction in which Japan and the United States are headed on issues such as security and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

REPORTER: With regard to the TPP negotiations, the leaders confirmed that consultations would continue at the ministerial level. Based on the outcome of these consultations I believe that it would be unusual for a joint statement to be issued. What are your thoughts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, I consider it to be extremely significant that both leaders gave clear instructions that we should continue to address outstanding issues and make efforts to reach an early settlement with regard to TPP negotiations, while confirming the progress we have made to date. I am aware that consultations at the ministerial level are continuing now based on these instructions. Whatever the case, through these consultations we hope to find the best solution for both of our nations’ national interests and are aiming to ultimately reach a favorable agreement in overall negotiations.

REPORTER: On a related note, are you expecting that ministerial consultations will continue right up to the last minute, and then ultimately the two leaders will meet again and make the final decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not expect that there will be a further summit meeting on this matter. That being said, a banquet is being held at the Imperial Palace this evening so the two leaders will of course be together.

REPORTER: In that case, I have a follow-up question about the TPP negotiations. Is it the case that some sort of agreement is in sight and that final consultations are underway? Or is it rather the case that work has stopped because time ran out and it was difficult to conclude consultations within the given time frame? What I am asking is whether the consultations have been extended because progress has been made, or because time ran out? What should our understanding to be?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In my view it is the former.

REPORTER: If that is the case, can we expect some kind of progress? Will there be moves toward agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the consultations are in the coordination phase.

REPORTER: There was an expectation that a joint statement or joint document would be released. When is such a document expected to be made available?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not sure about the details, but as the TPP consultations are still underway I would think that we would reflect the consultations in a joint statement.

REPORTER: Generally speaking can we expect that this will be issued this evening or tonight?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is usually the case, yes. However, I have not received information about the final status of coordination, so I would like to refrain from making any comment.

REPORTER: The Prime Minister has stated that we should promptly overcome the remaining challenges. Given that the consultations have been so prolonged, could you tell us specifically what these challenges are? President Obama mentioned agricultural products and automobiles.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, we are currently consolidating the discussions we have held to date. The two leaders have given clear instructions that the TPP negotiations should be brought to a prompt conclusion. I believe that based on those instructions the ministers are working to coordinate the issues.

REPORTER: President Obama is the first United States President to ever state clearly that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty covers the Senkaku Islands. What are your thoughts on this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As alliance partners, the fact that the Senkaku Islands are covered by the stipulations of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is something that was also noted by Secretary of Defense Hagel on his recent visit to Japan, among other officials. The position of the United States on this matter has long been clear. I welcome the fact that this position has been reaffirmed at the top level, which is of great significance.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In response to a question in the press conference President Obama referred to a “red line” in the case that China engaged in a military invasion of the Senkaku Islands. The President noted that no “red line” has been drawn. This could be taken to mean that the United States will not employ the use of force in such a scenario. What are your thoughts on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle, my opinion is that it is a matter of course that there should not be recourse to the use of force. Japan, too, has absolutely no intention to employ the use of force. However, what was confirmed today was that the Senkaku Islands are covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

REPORTER: Generally speaking, if the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty does in fact cover the Senkaku Islands, then it would be normal to assume that if China engages in the use of force, a response that also employs the use of force would then be made. Although I may have misunderstood them, President Obama’s comments in the press conference about there being no red line with regard to the Senkaku Islands gave the impression that the United States would not respond with the use of force. Is this not the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that you should read the President’s comments exactly for what they are. The President stated clearly that the Senkaku Islands are covered by Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. I believe there is nothing more and nothing less to the matter.

REPORTER: Putting it another way, under what kind of situation would it be deemed that a “red line” had been crossed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not know the answer to that. However, the President made a clear reference to the scope of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. I believe it is as the President said. There is nothing more and nothing less to the matter.

REPORTER: On a related note, yesterday at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China the spokesperson expressed firm opposition to the Senkaku Islands being covered by Article 5 of the treaty. The spokesperson also noted that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was forged during the Cold War era and emphasized that it should never infringe upon China’s territorial sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests. What are your thoughts on these comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think those comments represent China’s reaction. Japan’s position on the Senkaku Islands is clear. They are an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law. I believe that under these circumstances, in the summit meeting President Obama recognized Japan’s position and therefore stated clearly that the Senkaku Islands are covered by Article 5 of the treaty.

REPORTER: When did you become aware that the President had made such a clear statement with regard to the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Various United States officials have previously noted that the Senkaku Islands are covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With that in mind, my view is that it was of great significance for this to be reaffirmed in the summit meeting between the President and the Prime Minister.

REPORTER: Were you aware relatively well in advance that the President would make such a comment, or did you only realize directly before the comment was made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: When you look at the stance taken by the United States to date, I think that it was natural for the President to make such a comment.

REPORTER: With regard to the Senkaku Islands, you just stated the stance of the Government of Japan that they are an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law. However, in the press conference, President Obama noted that the United States does not take a position on final sovereignty determinations with respect to the Senkakus. I believe that this is a stance that is different to that of Japan. What are your thoughts on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the case that the United States has not referred specifically to territorial issues of other countries. My understanding is that this applies not only to Japan, but to all other territories and nations.

REPORTER: The President clearly stated that the Senkaku Islands are covered by Article 5 of the treaty. Does the Government of Japan therefore consider that President Obama effectively recognized Japanese sovereignty over the islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, as I stated previously, the President reaffirmed that Article 5 covers the Senkaku Islands. There is nothing more and nothing less to the matter.

REPORTER: I have a question about the introduction of Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) technology. It seems that the Prime Minister made a further proposal about introducing SCMAGLEV technology to the United States. Was this a concrete proposal? Could you also tell us what was the President Obama’s reaction to the proposal if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of the details. However, the introduction of SCMAGLEV technology to the United States was also discussed at the previous summit meeting last year, as a symbol of the friendship between our two countries. I think that it makes sense for the proposal to be tabled once again at this summit meeting.

REPORTER: During their press conference, the Prime Minister called the President by his first name, Barack, while President Obama referred to him as “Prime Minister Abe.” What are your views on the way the two leaders referred to each other?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that yesterday the President actually referred to the Prime Minister as Shinzo. It is my recognition that the press conference was held in a relaxed atmosphere with a great deal of trust on both sides. I also heard the President call the Prime Minister by his first name, Shinzo, in the summit meeting, and also on the occasion of telephone talks between the two leaders. Similarly, the Prime Minister calls the President by his first name, Barack.

(Abridged)