Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The re-amendment of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation
• The issue concerning missile launches by North Korea
• The formulation of a new law to promote women’s preferment

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the timing of the re-amendment of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. Could you tell us whether the Government considers it essential to re-amend the Guidelines by the end of the year or whether there is no particular emphasis on seeking amendment by that time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was in the 2+2 meeting (Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee meeting) held in October last year that the two sides agreed to complete the work to amend the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation by the end of this year. This was also confirmed at the recent Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Furthermore, on the basis of the recent Cabinet decision, we expect to proceed with work in accordance with the schedule agreed between Japan and the United States, towards completion by the end of the year. This stance remains unchanged.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning missile launches by North Korea. Yesterday two further ballistic missile launches took place, bringing the total number of launches this year to five. I understand that the Government has protested about these launches, but isn’t there any more effective method of urging North Korea to exercise self-restraint?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government of Japan has of course protested about the missile launches. I believe that it is also of great importance to work together with the international community to indicate clearly to North Korea that such actions that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions will serve no interest.

REPORTER: The Minister of Defense has also mentioned these missile launches, noting that the location and timing of each launch has been different. Can we understand from this that North Korea is conducting exercises of a very practical nature?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If the Minister of Defense has in fact made such a statement, then, as he is the expert in these matters, I would say that it is indeed the case.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the formulation of a new law to promote women’s preferment, which is being reported by a number of press sources. The reports state that in the new law the Government will call on companies and local governments to compile action plans to increase the preferment of women. Is the Government working towards the submission of such a draft bill to the Diet in the extraordinary Diet session this autumn?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the 2014 revised version of the Japan Revitalization Strategy that was recently approved by the Cabinet calls for the construction of a new legal framework towards the facilitation of women’s active role in society. In specific terms we must consider a new and comprehensive framework to ensure that measures to facilitate women’s active role in society are not transient and that they instead continue to progress steadily towards the goal of filling 30 percent of leadership positions with women by 2020. Within the current fiscal year we will conduct an examination of the response that each local government should take. We will take into account such information as the current state of the promotion of women’s preferment at national and local government organizations and private-sector businesses, the setting of targets, and the formulation of voluntary action plans towards achieving such targets. Our aim is to then submit a draft bill to the Diet.

(Abridged)