Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The inauguration of an association by former Prime Ministers
• The report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal basis for Security
• The corporation tax reform

REPORTER: This evening, an association that aims to eliminate nuclear power stations will be inaugurated under the leadership of former Prime Minister Koizumi and former Prime Minister Hosokawa. Could you please share your comments regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of this through media reports. I believe anyone is free to launch such an organization.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It seems that the mission of this association is to oppose the restarting of operations of nuclear power stations and the export of nuclear power stations. The association’s mission is in conflict with the policy of the Government. What is your view in this regard?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the recently approved Strategic Energy Plan, the Government decided to make maximum use of renewable energy. In this sense, the Government is fully working on this matter through ministerial meetings and other fora. Here in Japan, people of all walks of life are free to pursue a variety of endeavors. The bottom line is that the Government will work to steadily implement its decisions one by one.   

REPORTER: On a related note, as it was just described, I understand that the association’s views differ from the Government’s policy. What do you think about the fact that former Prime Ministers, that is, people considered to be influential members of society, are making such assertions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated, a variety of people who retired from politics are engaging in all kinds of different activities. I presume such activities are not all the same. As a representative of the Government, I would like to refrain from making comments.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Government’s policy once it receives the report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security. At a press conference held during the Prime Minister’s trip, the Prime Minister said he anticipates that the Advisory Panel would submit its report on the week of the 12th. Then based on the report, the Government would present its policy. As things stand, could you tell us the specific format of the Government’s policy and the exact timing of its release?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that it is exactly as the Prime Minister stated during his press conference. The Advisory Panel will submit its report next week and based on this, the Government will present a policy regarding its basic views. Then, after reviewing the policy in consultation with the ruling parties and also bearing in mind the opinions of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, we will aim to have the policy approved as a Cabinet Decision.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You said that after receiving the report, the Government would consult with the ruling parties and reach a Cabinet Decision. Do you expect that the Government’s policy would look similar to a draft Cabinet Decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just explained, the Government will present its basic direction. Then, we will engage in consultations with the ruling parties. Once we have obtained their understanding, we will seek to have it approved as a Cabinet Decision. Therefore, we are not following any predetermined deadline. A Cabinet Decision would be approved only when we have obtained understanding based on our careful explanations.

REPORTER: If I may I would like to ask another question. Are you saying then that the outcome of the consultations with the ruling parties will become the basis of the Cabinet Decision? Furthermore, does that therefore mean that the Government’s policy, which will be based on the report of the Advisory Panel, would merely serve as the basis of discussion with the ruling parties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government’s policy will represent the basic direction of the administration. Therefore, I expect that we will hold discussions with the ruling parties based on the Government’s policy. Then if we are able to obtain their understanding, we will seek to have a Cabinet Decision approved.

REPORTER: Concerning this matter, you said that you are not following any predetermined deadline. However, are you determined to have the Cabinet Decision approved by the end of the current session of the Diet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is not something we are particularly adamant about. Our first and foremost priority is to obtain understanding among the ruling parties.

REPORTER: If the Cabinet Decision is not approved during the current session of the Diet, I imagine this would affect the subsequent deliberations of individual laws during the extraordinary session of the Diet. What are your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is no deadline for the Cabinet Decision. Indeed, we need the understanding of the ruling parties. The way we see it, a Cabinet Decision would be approved only after we have obtained the understanding of the ruling parties through our careful explanations. There is no deadline for the Cabinet Decision.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question. With regard to this matter, Secretary-General Ishiba of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) raised the possibility of holding deliberations on the so-called gray zone bills ahead of the deliberations on bills related to the right of collective self-defense. What is the view of the Government regarding this possibility?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our view is to determine Diet proceedings in consultation with the party. Therefore, that could happen.

REPORTER: If I may ask yet another question. Will the gray zone bills then be discussed during the extraordinary Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, we also have to account for the timing of the Cabinet Decisions for the gray zone bills, and other such matters, so there is no predetermined deadline. Our first and foremost priority is to pass the bills that are to be submitted to the current session of the Diet one by one through careful Diet deliberations. At this time, I would like to refrain from speaking on what would happen thereafter.  

REPORTER: I would like to confirm what you just stated. Are you saying that during the extraordinary Diet session in autumn, the deliberations for developing legislation related to the gray zone, which is unrelated to the right of collective self-defense, should precede the deliberations on the bills related to the right of collective self-defense?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At this present stage, we have not yet even received the report. As I stated moments ago, after we receive the report, the Government will present the basic direction. We will then proceed first with the work with the ruling parties. I stated that based on the consultations with the ruling parties, we will seek to have a Cabinet Decision approved, without following any predetermined deadline. Therefore, at this moment in time, the Government should refrain from speaking about what will happen thereafter. 

REPORTER: I understand that in his address to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Prime Minister expressed concerns over China’s military spending, mentioning China by name. The Prime Minister explicitly referred to China at a meeting of a regional military organization, while a multi-partisan Japanese delegation is visiting China and working to improve bilateral relations, including meeting with senior Chinese officials. There appear to be concerns that the Prime Minister’s statement would hinder efforts to improve bilateral relations. What is the view of the Government?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I believe that when making this statement, the Prime Minister was stating a fact. Amid the increasing severity of the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, our top priority is precisely the realization of peace and prosperity in this region. Therefore, it is critically important that relevant countries work together, while each playing constructive roles. I believe it was in this context that the Prime Minister made this statement, and he did so in a straightforward manner.

REPORTER: Regarding corporate tax reform, during his address to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Prime Minister stated once again that the Government would press forward with further reforms to the corporate tax. Furthermore, Minister Amari stated during his press conference that he wants the timing and size of the corporate tax reduction to be stated in the Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform. What is your opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the statements made by the Prime Minister and Minister Amari. However, the Government has stated that it is critically important to revitalize the Japanese economy and ensure that it can win out against global competition. Against this backdrop, the LDP also set this out as a campaign pledge for the House of Representatives elections, as well as the House of Councillors elections. The Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, the Government’s Tax Commission, and other Government authorities are currently studying this matter. In addition, the research commissions on the tax system of the ruling parties are studying this matter. It was in the context of these studies that the Prime Minister described the vision. We will of course be carefully studying these matters, including the modality of the taxation base, the modality of the effective tax rate, and the Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform. 

REPORTER: I have an additional question. Is my understanding correct that the Government is aiming to lower the effective corporate tax rate to below 30%?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will continue to work to create an environment that will enable Japan to win out against the global competition. This stance remains unchanged.