Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

Today from 1:15 pm, the 40th meeting of the Information Security Policy Council will be held. Based on the recent deepening risks surrounding cyberspace, the council will discuss action guidelines on methods of strengthening the functions of Japan’s cyber security promotion structures. A decision will also be made on research and development strategy, and a program for spreading and raising awareness about information security. A briefing will be made by the National Information Security Center at 5:00 pm today on the results of this meeting. Please attend this meeting for further details. 

Q&As

• The Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations
• The strategic dialogue taking place between the United States and China

REPORTER: I have a question about the Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations on the abduction issue. This morning there were media reports of a survivors list of Japanese nationals that includes around 30 names. Reports suggest that this was presented during talks held on July 1 and that the Japanese side had already reviewed the list. Can you tell us if each of these reports is true? 
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the reports you mentioned. These are completely false reports without any factual basis. None of such thing ever took place during the meeting or during the breaks between meetings. In any case, there is absolutely no change in Japan’s basic stance of ensuring the safety and the immediate return to Japan of all the abductees, obtaining a full accounting concerning the abductions, and realizing the handover of the perpetrators of the abductions. The Government is currently preparing to protest these reports.  

REPORTER: I have a related question. You said these reports are false, but does this mean that each individual issue, such as the survivor list, or the 30 names, or discussions on July 1 are all untrue? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These are clearly untrue reports as none of this ever took place during or after the talks.

REPORTER: My question relates to this topic. Is there a possibility that this information was provided at a different time outside of July 1?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, not at all.

REPORTER: I have one additional question. Is it possible that this took place but you simply do not know about it or that confirmation has not yet to be made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These issues never took place because there were a limited number of attendees.

REPORTER: So the list does not exist?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said very clearly, these are false reports.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm. You said the Government is preparing to issue a protest. Will this protest be aimed at a news company?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, of course.

REPORTER: If I may change the topic, I have a question about the strategic dialogue taking place between the United States and China. Apparently, the Chinese side has told the American side that the Pacific Ocean is large enough to be split between China and the United States, an assertion it has long made. This probably means that China would like to control the western half of the Pacific Ocean. Can you share the Government’s comments or thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, it is my understanding that these strategic and economic talks between the United States and China represent a framework for discussing a broad range of matters of interest shared between the United States and China. I believe the Government of Japan should refrain from making specific comments about the interactions of third countries, but I have high expectations for these frank talks between the United States and China given the large amount of interest in China shown by the international community. On the evening of July 7, ministerial level talks were held over the phone between Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Secretary of State Kerry. During this conversation both parties exchanged their views and closely collaborated on the situation concerning China. I believe that Secretary of State Kerry is engaging in talks with China on this occasion, while fully taking into account the conversation he had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

REPORTER: My question overlaps with the previous one. In that case, will Japan take a stance of closely monitoring the situation? Does the Government have any comments or criticisms? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on the activities of third countries. However, as I said, a telephone meeting was held between Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Secretary of State Kerry, during which time both parties shared their views, including on the situation concerning China. Therefore, based on that, it is most likely that Secretary of State Kerry is taking part in talks with China while taking into account his conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Can we assume that no information on the safety of abducted Japanese nationals has been provided by the North Korean side at any of the Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, of course this is the case. The investigation has only just begun. I believe a number of things will come to light during the course of the investigation.