Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The right of collective self-defense
• The issue  concerning China’s military expenditure
• The plan to establish the Space Agency
• The New japan-China Friendship Committee for 21st Century
• The ascertainment of the Kono Statement

REPORTER: In relation to the discussions among the ruling parties on national security, I understand that an agreement was reached on gray zone incidents. I believe the ruling parties agreed that a Cabinet decision will be sought for the gray zone incidents, and then the decision on the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces will be left to the discretion of the Prime Minister. Could you first share with us your thoughts if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of the details, but the ruling parties are currently conducting earnest discussions and it is important that they develop a greater understanding of each issue through their consultations.

REPORTER: If you are not aware of the details, then perhaps I should not ask about the specifics, but if I may, if the decision is left to the discretion of the Prime Minister following a Cabinet decision, this would have the advantage of allowing swift decision-making by omitting the additional step of gaining Diet approval. On the other hand, some have expressed concern that the decision will be left to the Prime Minister alone. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will only make a decision on this matter following rigorous discussion at the Diet. At this point, I understand that the ruling parties have only agreed on gray zone incidents. We will make any decision on specific matters through the establishment of rigorous legislation.

REPORTER: Am I right to understand that each bill will be deliberated?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, of course.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question regarding the consultations between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito. On the subject of logistics support, the other day the Government proposed four new cases for the unifying use of force with another nation’s exercise of force. However, today the Government withdrew these four cases and instead proposed three new cases. Why has the Government done this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not know the reason for the change, but I believe that the Government indicated its views during the consultations, and the ruling parties decided on this orientation.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question. New Komeito expressed a number of concerns in relation to the four cases initially proposed by the Government. Am I right to understand that this change was made in consideration of those concerns?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Rather than announcing to the ruling parties that it has made a decision, the Government instead shares its ideas with them. Therefore, it seems only natural to me that amendments are made in the course of consultations among the ruling parties.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask one more question on the same topic. At the end of the consultations, Chairperson Komura asked the Government to prepare a draft for Cabinet approval. I assume that he is asking the Government to indicate its current views regarding a Cabinet decision. Could you tell us what sort of draft the Government will prepare?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If such a matter is raised over the course of the consultations among the ruling parties then the Government will of course make its views clear. I believe that, in principle, our orientation will consist primarily of what the Prime Minister shared during his recent press conference, and also take into consideration the opinions expressed by the ruling parties over the course of consultations to date.

REPORTER: What are your thoughts on the speed at which these consultations are proceeding and the timing of the request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think it shows that the consultations among the ruling parties are progressing.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning China's military expenditure, which continues to grow at a rapid rate. The U.S. Department of Defense report issued on June 5 revealed that China’s reported defense expenditure is about 20% less than its actual defense expenditure. Could you share with us your thoughts on this? Could you also tell us what influence you believe this will have on discussions to approve the exercise of the right of collective self-defense and the ruling party consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the contents of the report. However, the Japanese Government has long understood that the defense expenditure figures announced by China do not include things like equipment purchases and research and development expenses. Furthermore, the Japanese Government is also aware that the figures reported by China differ from the amount actually spent on military purposes. In any case, the international community is hoping for greater transparency on the part of China in terms of defense policy and military strength, including defense expenditure. Through various dialogues and exchanges in the field of security, the Japanese Government will strongly urge China to increase transparency and comply with the international code of conduct.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Some media outlets have reported that sometime this month, the LDP intends to ask the Government to form a space agency, which would be responsible for streamlining space-related policies, sometime before 2017. According to the reports, the LDP also intends to ask the Government to have the National Security Council formulate a strategy for national security in space. I understand that an official request will be made sometime in the future. Could you share with us your thoughts on the necessity and importance on the formation of a space agency and the formulation of a space strategy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the LDP is conducting such discussions but the Government has not received any specific proposals. That being said, it has only been two years since the Office of National Space Policy was established in Cabinet Office. In that time, the Office has served as a control tower in this area. For example, it finalized the Basic Plan for Space Policy, formulated guidelines for strategic budget allocation and also completed follow-ups on said guidelines. In any case, the Government remains committed to working as one on space policy.

REPORTER: The meeting of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century held in Nagasaki came to a close today. The participants concluded the meeting with a shared understanding that Japan-China relations are facing unprecedentedly severe circumstances, and that both sides should refrain from any dangerous actions that could escalate into an unexpected incident. The Committee will hold another meeting at the end of the year in China, where it will issue its official recommendations. While this is a committee consisting of private sector experts, could you tell us the Government's views on the outcomes of the recent committee meeting and how the Government plans to make use of those outcomes?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that it is a very positive thing for these members of the private sector to meet as the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, and exchange views and seek consensus, particularly with regard to economic matters. If I am correct, they will hold another meeting sometime before the end of the year. I believe that proactive exchange between our two countries is indeed important in the interest of developing mutual understanding and I think it is a very positive thing.

REPORTER: If I may change the subject, I have a question in relation to the effort to ascertain the facts behind the Kono Statement. Some media outlets reported that the Government provided written answers in response to a letter of questions asked by House of Representatives member Takako Suzuki during today's Cabinet Meeting. The written answers stated that the Government is currently putting together the results of the investigation with the aim of completing it before the end of the current Diet session. The written answers also stated that the Government would report the results if asked to do so by the Diet and that the Government would also consider making the results public. Am I right to understand that you will only make a decision on whether or not to disclose the results to the public once the investigation results have been finalized? Or will the Government make the decision before the investigation results have been put together?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I answered at the Diet, the Government would submit the results if asked to do so by the Diet. There has been no change in our stance.

REPORTER: Am I correct to understand that the Government would consider making the investigation results public only after the results have been finalized?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is not what I am saying. As I said, if asked to do so, we will submit the results as soon as the investigation results have been finalized.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. Do you consider that by submitting the investigation results to the Diet, if it makes such a request, this would constitute making the results public?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is correct.