Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary(Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First Prime Minister Abe will visit Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, France, and Belgium from April 29 to May 8. He will hold talks with the leaders of each country, the leaders of the European Union, and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Additionally, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Prime Minister Abe will attend the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) in France, and deliver a keynote address as the MCM Chair. The Prime Minister will also deliver an address at the North Atlantic Council for the first time in seven years. Japan and Europe share the fundamental values, such as freedom, democracy, and rule of law, and also the same aspirations. Furthermore, we are global partners who play a key role for the peace and prosperity of the international community. It is hoped that this visit will further strengthen Japan’s relations with each country and organization. In addition, we hope to exchange a wide range of views on our respective regional situations, thereby deepening cooperation and partnership.

Q&As

• The Japan-U.S. summit meeting
• The issue concerning nuclear test by North Korea

REPORTER: U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Japan, which lasted three days and two nights, has now come to an end. President Obama has now left Japan. I imagine that Japan and the United States held talks on a range of matters. First of all, what is your assessment of the visit in general?    

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, as Prime Minister Abe stated in his response to questions posed by reporters, the Prime Minister said that the Japan-U.S. Joint Statement is a groundbreaking statement for Japan and the United States, and for the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Specifically, it fully demonstrates to those inside and outside Japan that the Japan-U.S. Alliance will play a leading role in ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, the two countries were able to secure a path forward on outstanding economic partnership issues. The Prime Minister made statements to this effect following the release of the Joint Statement. Japan would like to rebuild our relationship with our ally, the United States. A fundamental facet of the Abe administration’s policies since its inauguration is to make the Japan-U.S. relationship the very cornerstone of diplomatic efforts to make proactive contributions to peace. Furthermore, this was the first Japan-U.S. summit meeting since February of last year. As such, I consider President Obama’s visit to Japan to be extremely significant and welcome for both countries.          

REPORTER: I believe the leaders addressed several issues, including security and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). If you have anything specific you could share with us, could you tell us what Japan gained from this summit meeting, and what Japan did not manage to gain?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that through President Obama’s visit to Japan, we were able to fully build mutual trust on all matters that Japan was considering in the lead up to the visit, including the prior negotiations.  

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the section of the Joint Statement pertaining to the TPP economic partnership. The statement says, “We have identified a path forward on important bilateral TPP issues,” and it goes on to say, “This marks a key milestone in the TPP negotiations and will inject fresh momentum into the broader talks.” If I may be perfectly honest, I am afraid I do not really understand what this means. My question overlaps slightly with a question asked during this morning’s press conference. First of all, there does not seem to be a clear path forward, and I do not think this is really captured in the statement. Can you please comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I also explained this morning, it means that we were firstly able to confirm a path forward on important outstanding bilateral issues through the summit meeting and ministerial meetings. In addition, we confirmed that it is important for Japan and the United States to cooperate towards the swift conclusion of the TPP, and to work together to accelerate the consultations with other TPP partners. This is what I stated during this morning’s press conference. This is also what Minister Amari stated during his doorstep interview. I understand the Joint Statement also noted the significance of this achievement, calling it “a key milestone,” as you just stated.

REPORTER: If I may please ask another question regarding the path forward, was a specific path forward identified for any individual items? You spoke about the overall path forward, but I do not really understand what you mean by the word “path,” which you keep using.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, our two countries still need to resolve a number of issues. So in that sense, what I mean is that we cannot quite say that we have reached a broad agreement. After all, all the items are part of a larger set and we have not yet to agree on all items.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In regard to this matter, during this morning’s press conference, you said that Japan and the United States agreed on the path towards the ministerial meeting next month, which is set to be held among all TPP partners. Does that mean that Japan and the United States have confirmed that they will reach agreement by next month’s ministerial meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is not the case. Rather, it has long been the case that countries would coordinate at the working level to explore the possibility of then holding a ministerial meeting as a result. It was with this in mind that I made my statement. However, it has not yet been decided whether a ministerial meeting will be held on the sidelines of the APEC ministerial meeting. If I am not mistaken, the plan is to hold the TPP ministerial meeting on the sidelines of an APEC ministerial meeting.

REPORTER: I would think that if Japan and the United States reach an agreement, this would promote the swift conclusion of the negotiations with other countries. Without an agreement between Japan and the United States, how do you intend to promote a swift conclusion of negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan and the United States mutually confirmed a path forward on important outstanding issues. However, what I have been saying is that because there are still issues our countries need to resolve, we have not reached a broad agreement.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about the media, if I may. I ask this question because the media has been divided in the way that it has reported on the Joint Statement. Some reports state that an agreement on the TPP was deferred. Others have reported that a basic agreement was reached. While the issues being discussed are the same, the way different parts of the media have interpreted the Joint Statement has varied to such a degree. In this sense, the Joint Statement can very well be interpreted in any number of ways. In my opinion, many sections were rather vague. First of all, what is your view? Was an agreement reached or not reached?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Media outlets are free to report as they wish. I too was surprised when I saw the media reports. However, what I stated unequivocally this morning is that our two countries still need to resolve a number of issues, and therefore, we cannot say that we have reached a broad agreement. Furthermore, all the items are part of a larger set. As an agreement has not yet been reached on all items, we have not yet reached a broad agreement. Nevertheless, as I stated, Japan and the United States confirmed that they will make active efforts to identify a path forward on important outstanding issues. There is nothing more or less to it. Minister Amari gave the same explanation. How the different members of the media reported on the matter is not something that I am aware of.              

REPORTER: I would like to ask a fundamental question about the TPP. Putting the fact that there are different views on this matter to one side, I understand there are things on which Japan is not willing to make concessions. Am I right to understand that the Abe administration nevertheless maintains the belief that Japan must find a way to come to an agreement on the overall framework of the TPP, even if there are some specific things exist on which Japan is unwilling to make concessions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our position has not changed. Ever since Japan expressed its intention to participate in the TPP, we have always maintained our stance of protecting those areas that should be protected and seeking to gain what should be gained. In this context, we have firmly asserted our position, while also advancing the TPP negotiations with the understanding that joining the TPP is a must. Having said that, we do not intend to make concessions on everything that should be protected just to reach an agreement. This is why we have continued to engage in negotiations as firmly as possible.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Returning to the question before last, I understand that Japan and the United States have not yet reached a broad agreement but some media outlets are suggesting that the two countries have perhaps reached a substantive agreement. Could you please inform us of the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Personally, I also do not understand what the difference is between a broad agreement and a substantive agreement. In any case, a variety of items have been set aside for the time being, and I think the situation is exactly as Minister Amari described during his doorstep interview.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question about the details of the TPP. According to some media reports, Japan and the United States agreed that tariffs on beef will be at least 9%. It has also been reported that the two countries agreed to maintain the gate price system for pork but with a significantly lower standard price. What is your response to these media reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, Japan and the United States have first of all successfully developed a shared understanding regarding the path we should take to reach a high level agreement, aimed at the TPP, while remaining mindful of the sensitive items in each other’s countries. However, we have not yet come to an agreement on specific items. Regardless, the negotiations concern a package of items. As such, we cannot agree on any specific items without agreeing on the overall package. I would like to make this point clear.

REPORTER: I have another question in relation to the TPP. This is a topic that was broached during this morning’s press conference. Deputy Prime Minister Aso commented on President Obama’s political power over the TPP negotiations and, at the time, your answer in relation to this was that you did not know the context in which Mr. Aso made the comments. Have you since spoken with the Deputy Prime Minister about the comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I asked for a transcript of the press conference and I assume Deputy Prime Minister Aso was explaining that the extremely challenging political circumstances domestically, both in Japan and the United States, make this a difficult situation for even someone like President Obama, particularly with the upcoming elections. I believe the Deputy Prime Minister was explaining the difficulty of the situation in his own way.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. Some overseas wire services and other media outlets have reported Deputy Prime Minister Aso’s comments as the comments of the Japanese Government’s “number two” representative. It appears to me that this could cause a misunderstanding, and some may misinterpret this to be the Japanese Government’s true opinion of the Obama administration. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These press conferences fully represent the views of the Japanese Government and exactly as I said earlier, Japan welcomed President Obama as a state guest. During his stay in Japan, which lasted three days and two nights, we were able to engage in truly sincere discussions on national security, foreign diplomacy and economic policy, particularly in relation to the TPP. Furthermore, the Prime Minister and the President were able to build on their personal relationship. In addition, as I said earlier, Japan and the United States reaffirmed that the Japan-U.S. Alliance will play a leading role in ensuring the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. We also identified a path forward for economic cooperation. What I say represents the official view of the Japanese Government and we believe we have produced significant outcomes. That is all there is to say. 

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question in relation to Deputy Prime Minister Aso's comments. This was raised during this morning’s press conference. President Obama was welcomed and received as a state guest, and yet the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments could be seen as questioning the President’s political power. Do you see any issue with this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, I really believe that Mr. Aso made his comments in light of the extremely challenging state of negotiations, in which each country is pitting its own national interests against the other, and also in light of U.S. domestic affairs, given that elections are fast approaching. I do not believe that the Deputy Prime Minister was making comments about President Obama personally, or anything like that.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning North Korean nuclear testing. I understand that satellites have spotted the same special vehicles that were used for previous nuclear tests. Are there actually any real signs that a nuclear test will be conducted?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government views the matters relating to North Korean nuclear testing with the utmost concern and constantly strives to gather and analyze information. I apologize that I have to say this every time a question like this is asked, but as this is a matter of intelligence, and due to the nature of the subject, I would like to refrain from commenting. I can however say that the Government fully grasps the various developments.

REPORTER: The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) believes that North Korea has already completed preparations for a nuclear test. Does the Japanese Government share the same view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the interest of doing whatever is necessary to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people, and to ensure national security, the Japanese Government collects and analyzes information, while working together with the United States and other allies, as well as the ROK and other countries concerned, to constantly address the situation.

(Abridged)