Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 100 general and other measures for submission to the Diet, as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Mori made a statement regarding the review of the Basic Consumer Plan; the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry made a statement concerning the Contract Policy of the Government regarding Small and Medium Enterprises in FY2014 and the policy regarding the provision of specific subsidies, etc. to small and medium enterprises and related entities; the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement regarding the results of the labor force survey, consumer price index, and the household budget survey; the Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare made a statement about the national ratio of jobs to applicants for May 2014; the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning the FY2013 White Paper on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement about the results of the administrative evaluation and monitoring relating to the implementation of earthquake measures with a focus on emergency disaster measures; the Minister of Justice made a statement regarding the 64th Brighter Society Campaign; the Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning the Emergency Grant Aid for Internally Displaced Persons Affected by the Armed Conflict in Northern Iraq; and Prime Minister Abe made a statement about the acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on an overseas visit.
In ministerial discussions, Minister Furuya made a statement about the further implementation of measures against quasi-legal drugs and the Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare made a statement about the implementation of measures against quasi-legal drugs. 
After today’s Cabinet meeting, the first meeting of the Ministerial Committee for the e-Government was held. I am serving as the chairperson of this council, which is being held under the IT Strategic Headquarters led by the Prime Minister. The council is comprised of relevant Cabinet members and Government CIO Endo. With the aim of becoming the World’s Most Advanced IT Nation, council meetings will be held to jointly promote the adoption of IT systems for administrative services and program reforms. For details about this matter, please contact the National Strategy Office of Information and Communications Technology within the Cabinet Secretariat or the Administrative Management Bureau of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. 

Q&As

• The review of measures on quasi-legal drugs
• The report about Japan’s approached to ODA by advisory panel of expert
• The passing of former U.S. Ambassador Baker

REPORTER: During today’s ministerial discussions, statements were made by Minister Furuya and Minister Tamura. Given the incident in Ikebukuro, I believe a review of measures on quasi-legal drugs is now an urgent priority. What are the Government’s thoughts on this at the present time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, with regard to so-called quasi-legal drugs, as you just noted, I am acutely aware that there have been a number of incidents, like the recent tragedy in Ikebukuro in Tokyo, where users of these quasi-legal drugs have committed crimes or caused serious traffic accidents. This has become a pressing social issue. The police and other authorities that are combating quasi-legal drugs will continue to thoroughly enforce the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which took effect in April this year and prohibits the use and mere possession of designated drugs amongst users and dealers. At the same time, we would also like the police, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and local governments to work together in conducting campaigns to raise awareness among the public that most quasi-legal drugs are illegal and very dangerous. Additionally, the word “quasi-legal drug” itself can confuse the public about the legality and dangers of these drugs. We therefore ask that the related ministries and agencies carry out a review regarding possible changes to this wording.  

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about ODA. Yesterday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ advisory panel of experts submitted its report, which states that assistance provided to foreign countries should be allowed as long as it excludes arms and other military-related support. However, during discussions it was pointed out that it would be difficult to draw a clear distinction between military and non-military assistance. Firstly, what is the Government’s view on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I believe that the advisory panel of experts established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a meaningful report about Japan’s approaches to ODA, given the changes taking place in the international environment surrounding Japan. I understand that this report recommended that the principle of preventing ODA from being used to support military applications or international conflict should be maintained. Furthermore, it recommended that as long as the assistance is provided for civilian or non-military objectives, such as for disaster assistance, it should not be uniformly ruled out just because the military is involved. Specific details of the new ODA guidelines will be discussed in greater detail by the Government at the end of the year based on this report.  

REPORTER: Mr. Howard Baker, who was the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2001, passed away. What are the Government’s thoughts about this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of former Ambassador Baker’s passing. Former Ambassador Baker made extraordinary efforts toward the development of Japan-U.S. relations for many years between July 2001 and February 2005. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences upon his passing. His loss fills me with great sadness. At the time, it was the honeymoon period between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush. I believe that former Ambassador Baker played a significant role in building friendly relations between these two heads of state. Former Ambassador Baker had a deep understanding of Japan and contributed so much to the friendship between our two countries. This is truly a tremendous loss.