Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&A

• The ascertainment of the compilation of the Kono Statement
• the statement by the Minister of the Environment Ishihara

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Kono Statement. During this morning’s board of directors’ meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, it was decided that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato would report on the results of the efforts to ascertain the background of the compilation of the Kono Statement. At this stage what are your thoughts on the results being disclosed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have previously stated in my responses to questions from the Diet, we intend to submit the results if requested to do so by the Diet. Tomorrow, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato will be in attendance and will provide an explanation about the results of the efforts to ascertain the background of the compilation of the Kono Statement. As I have stated, the results will be submitted to the Diet and it will be disclosed, if we obtain the approval of the Diet to do so. Nevertheless, I would like to leave that decision to the board of directors.

REPORTER: If you do gain the understanding of the Diet, could you please tell us the manner in which the Government is considering disclosing the results?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The committee in charge has carried out efforts to ascertain the background of the compilation of the Kono Statement. Therefore, if we obtain the understanding of the Diet regarding the disclosure of the results, we will explain the background of the compilation of the Kono Statement, among other matters.

REPORTER: Just to confirm what you just said, when you say “explain the background” do you mean you yourself will provide the explanation? Or will someone else do so?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I imagine we would ask someone who was involved in the ascertainment process.

REPORTER: At a Diet committee meeting today Minister of the Environment Ishihara indicated his intention to retract his statement regarding money and an interim storage facility for contaminated soil. He also indicated his desire to visit Fukushima. Could you once again share with us the Government’s thoughts on this particular issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well Minister of the Environment Ishihara did make that statement during a door-step interview. In light of this, I understand that in a subsequent press conference he expressed his sincere apology for his response, rather than retracting his statement. Against this backdrop, I was told that it was never his intention to hurt or offend anyone. During his opening address at today’s Environment Committee meeting he retracted his statement. In any case, the fundamental stance of the Abe administration is in fact to accelerate reconstruction while fully taking into consideration the sentiments of the people in the affected areas. It is crucial that all Cabinet ministers and the Government work as one to make an all-out effort towards achieving this goal.

(Abridged)