Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The incident of the approach by Chinese military fighter plane
• The japan-North Korea relations
• The consultation among the ruling parties on the right of collective self-defense

REPORTER: Yesterday a Chinese military fighter aircraft flew extremely close to aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. While I understand that the Government has already protested to the Chinese side regarding the incidents, can you tell us about the Government’s response hereafter?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, at around 11 am and noon on June 11, the Chinese military fighter jet flew excessively close to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft and the Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft in the airspace over the high sea of the East China Sea. An incident occurred just recently, on May 24 in which a Chinese fighter jet flew excessively　close to JSDF aircraft, and on that occasion also we lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences through diplomatic channels. The Government of Japan deeply deplores and is intolerant of the reoccurrence of a similar incident despite our protest. We lodged a strong protest again over the reoccurrence of a similar incident and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences, so that extremely dangerous activities that could lead to an unexpected accident in the sea or airspace in the vicinity of Japan should not be repeated.

REPORTER: My question relates to this incident. Yesterday, Minister of Defense Onodera said that the Government of Japan issued a protest by telephone. Does the Government intend to make its protest at a higher level? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday, the Government issued its protest via the Deputy Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo and at around 8:45pm the Deputy of the Embassy of Japan in China to the Director-General of the Department of Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Naturally, this is an intolerable act from the Government’s point of view, so we intend to once again lodge a firm protest.

REPORTER: My question also relates to this matter. This is the second time that Chinese military fighter aircraft flew extremely close to aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. This same type of incident could very well happen again. Besides protests, will the Government consider other ways to prevent such an incident from happening again?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, as I have mentioned on many occasions, the Government has communicated to the Chinese side that it is important that the defense authorities of Japan and China discuss the safety and security at sea. In order to avoid and prevent unexpected incidents, we intend to continue to strongly urge China to establish a maritime communication mechanism. 

REPORTER: Yesterday, Mr. Kong Xuanyou, Director-General of the Department of Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, responded to the Government’s protest by saying that Japan’s claims were not true. Do you have any comments about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday’s incident in the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) occurred in the area overlapping with the East China Sea ADIZ claimed by China, and this is exactly as we announced. As such, China’s criticism is off base.

REPORTER: My question relates to this. It appears that China is attempting to use this incident to legitimize the ADIZ that it unilaterally established. How do you view this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There was an incident on the 24th of last month and again yesterday. While exercising adequate caution, the Government will strongly urge China to take steps to avoid and prevent unexpected incidents and to exercise self-restraint. We will take such actions while collaborating with the relevant countries. 

REPORTER: There are expectations that a Japan-China summit meeting may take place before APEC or during APEC. What are your thoughts about the environment for dialogue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan’s stance is clear. The door is always open for dialogue. It is precisely because problems do exist that holding greater dialogue is necessary.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm something about the ADIZ. You said that China’s criticism has no basis and that the incident occurred exactly as Japan announced. What kind of data or objective information do you have about how close the planes were to one another? Do you have a testimony from the pilot? What is the basis for Japan’s claims?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from providing specific details about the incident. However, we do, of course, have this information, and this is why we made the announcement.

REPORTER: My question is on Japan-North Korea relations. Yesterday, Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue Furuya appeared on a BS television program. Regarding a possible visit to North Korea by Prime Minister Abe, he stated “The Prime Minister has said that he is more than ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, provided that they will not be conducting negotiations simply for negotiation’s sake, and that they will instead seek to truly solve the abduction issue.” I believe North Korea will establish the Special Investigation Committee shortly. Is there a possibility that the Prime Minister will visit North Korea depending on the results of the investigation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently still not at the stage to be commenting on a possibility of visit by the Prime Minister to North Korea. I would like to refrain from commenting on this as the Special Investigation Committee will soon be established and the investigation begun.

REPORTER: I have a related question. According to the document agreed upon by Japan and North Korea, Japan will lift restrictions in three areas, at the point of time when North Korea establishes the Special Investigation Committee. Will these sanctions be lifted in stages or all at the same time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government plans on lifting all three sanctions at the same time, at that point in time when the Special Investigation Committee has been established, when we understand the overall details of the organization, and when we determine that the committee has carried out a concrete investigation.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe the North Korean side promised to establish the Special Investigation Committee in three weeks. Based on the current outlook, do you believe that North Korea will comply with this three week period?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This was a promise, so I believe North Korea will comply with this.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question about the consultations among the ruling parties on the right of collective self-defense. There are reports that the leaders of the LDP and New Komeito will meet on June 20. Can you confirm if these reports are true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this.

REPORTER: My question is related to this matter. It is rumored that the Cabinet decision on the right of collective self-defense will be made after the end of the current Diet session. Can you share your thoughts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Currently the ruling parties are working hard to debate the issue amongst themselves and I would like to monitor the progress of these discussions. The LDP has asked that the Cabinet decision be made during this session of the Diet. We will wait for the results.

(Abridged)