Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have an announcement regarding yesterday’s launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea. The launch is a violation of international agreements, including United Nations (U.N.) Security Council resolutions. Japan immediately lodged a protest against North Korea. Japan will continue to monitor the situation, and collect and analyze intelligence with a sense of vigilance. We will also take appropriate action in coordination with other countries, including the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations are a forum for addressing the abduction issue, an issue of critical importance on humanitarian grounds. They also provide an opportunity to discuss security concerns, such as missile and nuclear issues. For this reason, the consultations will be held tomorrow, July 1, as scheduled. The issue of the missile launch will be dealt with thoroughly at tomorrow’s consultations. In response to yesterday’s launch of ballistic missiles, we held a four ministers’ meeting of the National Security Council a short while ago with the attendance of Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue Furuya. I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of what was discussed. However, what I would say is that during the meeting, the ministers reaffirmed the points I just noted. 

Q&As

• North Korea’s launch of missiles
• The right of collective self-defense

REPORTER: Based on your analysis, what do you think was the aim behind North Korea’s launch of missiles prior to tomorrow’s Government-level consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are a variety of views on the matter and the Government would like to refrain from commenting on such issues. Nevertheless, the Government is in fact holding various internal discussions in relation to this matter, including on the subject of the aim of the launch.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. I would like to ask once again whether Japan considers the nuclear, missile and abduction issues as part of a set. Or is it the case that Japan will be treating them as separate issues depending on the circumstances?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan views the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues in a comprehensive manner. That being said, as the abduction issue is an issue of critical importance on humanitarian grounds, we have decided to hold the Government-level consultations as scheduled.

REPORTER: I believe there are also concerns that Japan’s cooperation with the United States and the ROK would be disrupted if Japan goes ahead with the consultations despite the missile launch. What is your opinion in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that to be the case. We perceive that both the United States and the ROK understand that the abduction issue is an issue of critical importance on humanitarian grounds. Japan is working closely with the two countries in holding the Government-level consultations. 

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In light of the situation, is it your understanding that the missile and nuclear issue will also be one of the main themes of the consultations with North Korea that are slated to take place from tomorrow?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from discussing the content of the consultations. In any case, the latest missile launch is a violation of various international agreements, including U.N. resolutions, the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, and the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. As such, Japan immediately lodged a strong protest against North Korea. Japan will also address the situation in the Government-level consultations and other such meetings.

REPORTER: The Sankei Shimbun and FNN conducted a public opinion poll regarding the right of collective self-defense. Taking into account both those who would approve the full exercise of the right of collective self-defense and those who would approve the exercise of the right to the minimum extent necessary, 60 percent of those polled responded in favor of exercising the right of collective self-defense. Although opposing views have been highlighted, there is increasing public understanding towards the exercise of the right. How do you assess this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Certainly we are very grateful that despite the existence of such opposing views, there are public opinion polls like this one. It appears that the people recognize that the security environment surrounding Japan is extremely severe. Indeed the internationalization of Japan is continuing. As many as 1.5 million Japanese people live overseas, and another 18 million travel abroad annually. Under such circumstances, the Government is responsible for protecting the lives and assets of the Japanese people and the security of the nation. The people may be beginning to understand that if there are any inadequacies with the existing legal system, then such inadequacies should be fully addressed to allow for seamless responses.

REPORTER: The same public opinion poll also covered the study of the Kono Statement. 51 percent of those polled responded that they have a positive assessment of the study itself. These people have a positive assessment of the Government’s initiative. On the other hand, however, 55 percent responded that the Kono Statement should be revised. The Government has indicated that it would not revise the Kono Statement. Looking at the number from the opinion poll, the Government’s stance seems to go against public opinion. What is your view on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government issued the Kono Statement more than 20 some odd years ago. In light of this, it is important to understand that it is extremely difficult to carry out a comprehensive study of the Kono Statement. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ishihara, who was the head of the working-level staff during the drafting of the Kono Statement, testified at the Diet that there is a possibility that the language was compared and coordinated between Japan and the ROK at the time. He also stated that while the Japan-ROK relationship improved in the context of giving consideration to the wishes of the ROK at the time, the relationship is experiencing setbacks again at this present time. Therefore, in response to a request from the Diet to carry out a study, the Government asked a team to study the drafting of the Kono Statement in an objective manner. There is nothing more or less to the matter.

(Abridged)