Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning Japan-North Korea relations. Ambassador Song Il Ho, the North Korean negotiator for the intergovernmental consultations, spoke with journalists in Beijing. He said that North Korea will form a Special Investigation Committee for the abduction issue as soon as possible, and then notify Japan. Could you share with us your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: North Korea initially said that they would swiftly form the committee, but yesterday, after final confirmation, I announced that the committee is expected to be formed within the next three weeks. Ideally, we would like to see the committee formed earlier; but more importantly we would like the committee to be reliable and effective.

REPORTER: Ambassador Song Il Ho continues to urge the Japanese Government to address the issue of the sale of the building formerly owned by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. Am I right to understand that the Japanese Government maintains an unchanged policy on this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that Ambassador Song Il Ho said that the consensus document agreed upon by the two sides refers to the status of North Korean citizens in Japan, and that addressing the issue of the sale of the building is part of the agreement. However, as we have said since yesterday, the issue is presently being dealt with by the courts, and we have not changed our belief that the Government should not intervene. Nevertheless, I am assuming that the Ambassador drew from the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration when he referred to the status of North Korean citizens residing in Japan.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: In relation to the comments made by Ambassador Song, does the Japanese Government recognize that in the agreement, both sides will engage in consultations to reach a resolution for the issue of the building formerly belonging to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan? Or, does the Japanese Government believe that the issue is not part of the agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has stated our position numerous times during negotiations, and the issue is already being dealt with by the courts. We have not changed our belief that the Government should not intervene.

REPORTER: I would like some clarification. Am I right to understand that the issue will not be discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the issue is not included in this agreement. However, I assume that what Ambassador Song said is that, as I just said, he made reference to the status of North Korean citizens in Japan, and he said the issue of the building should be a part of the agreement. I understand that he made these comments drawing from the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, in which it said that the issue of the status of North Korean citizens residing in Japan and the issue of cultural assets are to be discussed in good faith at diplomatic normalization talks. However, the declaration does not include the building formerly belonging to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. The declaration does state that the two side swill discuss the issue of the status of North Korean citizens residing in Japan, but the issue of the building is a separate matter.

(Abridged)