Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The situation in Ukraine
• The controversy expression by comic on radiation exposure
• The issue regarding the right of collective self-defense

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the situation in Ukraine. A referendum was held by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. Media reports call into question the credibility of the actual election and its results. Could you share with us the thoughts of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government believes that the referendum lacks democratic legitimacy and we are concerned that this could cause further aggravation of the situation. We hope that the presidential election scheduled for May will be conducted peacefully and democratically.

REPORTER: I believe that the election results will inevitably aggravate the conflict between Russia and Western nations. However, Japan also values dialogue with Russia, so how do you intend to address this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, I believe that President Putin himself has also said that Russia deems that the election should not have been conducted. Therefore, Japan does not recognize the validity of the result of the referendum. At the same time, Japan will work together with other G7 member nations and thoroughly implement policies in relation to Russia.

REPORTER: You just said that the referendum lacks democratic legitimacy. Why does the Government consider this to be the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand from the media reports that there were many issues with the referendum. Appropriate conditions were not in place, including the absence of a complete electoral roll.

REPORTER: As you just said, Russia also believes that the referendum should not have taken place. Do you believe that this shows that Russia is losing its influence over the pro-Russian forces?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not in a position to comment on that. However, the Japanese Government is analyzing the situation by various means. In any case, Russia has stated that a referendum should not have been held.

REPORTER: I have a question about the serialized comic Oishinbo. In the comic, the former mayor of Futaba Town, Fukushima Prefecture is portrayed as saying that the reason for his nosebleed is due to exposure to radiation. He also said that people should not live in Fukushima. The comic stirred controversy. What are your thoughts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the comments concern a former mayor who no longer works as a public servant. Therefore, the Government must refrain from commenting. However, the Government understands that, according to specialists in this field, there is no connection between nosebleeds and radiation exposure to local residents caused by the accident in Fukushima. The Government considers the full provision of scientifically accurate information to be highly important and scientifically it has been shown that there is no connection whatsoever. As such, we believe it is important that we thoroughly communicate this information.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the results of an opinion poll conducted by the news agency I work for regarding approval for exercising the right of collective self-defense. 8 percent of respondents believe Japan should be able to fully exercise the right of collective self-defense, while 63 percent believe that the exercise of the right of collective self-defense should be limited to the minimum necessary force. This means that, if you also include those people who only support the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense, overall, more than 70 percent of respondents believe that Japan should be able to exercise the right of collective self-defense. Could you share with us your thoughts on this poll?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In light of the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, the Abe administration, led by Prime Minister Abe himself, has been implementing policies while constantly considering whether it is possible to fully protect the lives and property of the people and maintain national security under existing circumstances. The Government believes that it is our responsibility to do so. In light of this, the Government is asking the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security to submit a report. Against this backdrop, we welcome the growing understanding among the public for the right of collective self-defense.

REPORTER: Looking at the result of the poll in relation to party support, 90% of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and 70% of New Komeito supporters said the right of collective self-defense should be granted. These numbers also include those who only support the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense. What is your view on the prospects for talks on this issue between the ruling parties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, we believe that it is important for us to provide a thorough explanation in order to first gain the understanding of the ruling parties. Therefore it is crucial that we continue to persistently explain what the Government plans to do after receiving the report from the Advisory Panel. We will do what the public naturally expects of us. As such, we will protect the lives and property of the people and ensure national security.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning issues in the South China Sea. The recent ASEAN Summit meeting adopted a declaration urging all relevant countries to refrain from engaging in actions that aggravate tensions in the region. Japan has also been addressing the issue of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, so how do you view this decision by ASEAN?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Member states expressed great concern for the current situation during the recent ASEAN meeting. Consequently, members resolved to work together to address the problems. The Japanese Government highly approves the decision. Furthermore, Japan is deeply concerned about China embarking on unilateral drilling operations in maritime areas where national boundaries have not yet to be confirmed, which has exacerbated tensions in the region. We hope that all countries concerned will refrain from engaging in any unilateral action that would aggravate the situation, adhere to the relevant international laws and address the situation in a calm manner. Japan will continue to work to ensure the peace and safety of the region while communicating with ASEAN.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the right of collective self-defense. LDP Secretary-General Ishiba yesterday said to journalists "We will not formulate any legislation without the understanding of New Komeito. We will not make any sudden decisions without their approval." I understand that deliberations will be conducted between the opposition parties, and the LDP and New Komeito. You said earlier that the Government considers it to be crucial to gain the understanding of the ruling parties, so do you believe that gaining the understanding of New Komeito is essential?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes we do. As the Prime Minister has said on numerous occasions, we have not set any deadline for this issue. Nevertheless, we will make a proposal that the public considers to be a matter of course and gain their understanding.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the report that the Advisory Panel will submit sometime this week and the basic policy the Government will set out upon receiving said report. Do you have any timeframe or plan in mind for the announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not made any decisions at this stage. The Prime Minister has always said that he expects the Advisory Panel to submit the report sometime this week, and we are currently making arrangements in anticipation of that.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the earlier topic of Oishinbo. Does the Government intend to take any action against Shogakukan or the author of the comic?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The issue concerns a former mayor who no longer works as a public servant and therefore the Government must refrain from commenting. As such, we do not have any intention to take any action. In the meantime, the Japanese Government will thoroughly provide scientifically accurate information to the public.

REPORTER: As this issue concerns a comic book, I believe that this can also be viewed as a matter of freedom of expression. Last Friday, Minister of the Environment Ishihara made comments in relation to the comic and said that he cannot at all understand what message the depiction itself is supposed to convey. The interpretation of the comic may be challenging, but how much does the Government intend to evaluate and intervene?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just said, the Government believes that it is extremely important that we provide scientifically accurate information. We do not consider it to be our place to comment on this publication.

REPORTER: Am I then right to understand that although the Government acknowledges that the comic is clearly wrong, it is choosing not to say anything?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well as this is a matter of freedom of expression and concerns an individual who is not a public servant, the Government is not in a position to make a comment. However, what is important, as I have said a number of times, is to communicate to people throughout Japan and the world, not to mention Fukushima residents, that according to specialists in this field, there is no relationship between the two incidents mentioned in the comic.

REPORTER: I understand that this issue concerns freedom of expression, which is a tricky subject. That being said, in a sense, this medium, which could potentially have greater influence than we in the media mass could, is using such a depiction as if it were fact. It is expected that the story line of the comic will reach a climax next week and I believe that this is something that the Government should be concerned about.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We believe that the Government should not intervene. I have said this a number of times, but all we can do as the Government is to thoroughly communicate the fact that, according to specialists in this field, there is no relationship between nosebleeds and radiation exposure to citizens following the accident in Fukushima.