Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations
• The right of collective self defense

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations. I understand you were briefed by Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki and Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Ihara of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To the extent that you can disclose, can you please tell us if you gave any instructions based on the briefing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A short while ago, I received a briefing about the latest Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations directly from the delegation that returned to Japan. Later today, relevant ministers will be meeting to discuss the consultations.

REPORTER: You stated that the relevant ministers would be meeting. Does that mean that you have to make a major decision of some kind that requires the holding of discussions among relevant ministers? Is that the current state of the matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The four ministers, in other words, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue, and I will discuss the content of the briefing.

REPORTER: Recently, the Wall Street Journal interviewed President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea (ROK). During the interview, President Park commented that as Japan considers the issue of allowing the exercise of the right of collective self-defense, it has to deepen the understanding and trust of the relationship with neighboring countries, including the ROK, and do so in a transparent manner. With regard to the comfort women issue, President Park hoped Prime Minister Abe would address this issue by making a courageous decision. What is the Japanese Government’s opinion regarding these statements?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I presume Ms. Park Geun-hye made these remarks in her position as the ROK President. The ruling parties are presently holding consultations on the issue of the right of collective self-defense. If the ruling parties come up with a orientation and if it is necessary, the Government of Japan would obviously provide explanations with transparency. That is a given. With regard to the comfort women issue, the Prime Minister stated clearly that he would not be revising the Kono Statement. That is all there is to the matter. 

(Abridged)