Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved four general measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, I made a statement concerning the trip to France by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi and about the visit to Vietnam by Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a statement concerning the White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan, 2013. Minister Amari made a statement concerning the partial revision of measures accompanying the disbandment of ministerial meetings and ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting. In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Inada made a statement concerning an overview of the process of the open review of administrative programs. The Minister of Finance made a statement concerning the Budget Execution Survey. Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ohta made a statement concerning a request for cooperation for the blue feather fundraising campaign.  

As part of the electricity supply-demand measures for the summer, a “power saving period” will take effect across the entire country, except for Okinawa, from today, July 1, to September 30. This summer’s power saving will not be accompanied by numerical targets. Nevertheless, it is projected that Central and West Japan in particular will face a very tight electricity supply-demand situation this summer. We would like to ask the people for their cooperation in saving power this summer in light of the electricity situation. For more information regarding this matter, I ask that you please inquire with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

I have an announcement regarding the Prime Minister’s itinerary. Tomorrow, July 2, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit disaster-affected areas in Iwate Prefecture, where he will inspect the status of reconstruction, among other matters. Specifically, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Otsuchi Town, where he will inspect the status of the progress of reconstruction, including the construction status of public housing for disaster victims and the status of operation of fishery processing plants. In addition, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the workplace of the Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project, which commenced shortly after the earthquake disaster and is creating employment as a community business of Otsuchi Town.

Q&As

• The issue of the interpretation of the constitution
• Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: (Abridged) What is your personal opinion regarding the latest change in the constitutional interpretation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the administration views that one of the critical tasks of the Government is to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people and the security of Japan. When the administration was inaugurated, we sought the advice of experts regarding whether there were any inadequacies with the existing legal system in terms of security, and, if there were inadequacies, how we should deal with them. In this context, the Prime Minister received the report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security and presented the Government’s views to the members of the ruling parties. The ruling parties have carried out discussions up till today to coordinate their views and decide on the basic orientation of the Government. This morning, the ruling coalition reached an agreement. However, each of the ruling parties also has to make decisions within the party themselves. Therefore, I gather that both parties are currently coordinating in accordance with their respective party’s decisions. The times have changed significantly as a result of globalization. As we examine whether or not the existing legislation is appropriate under these circumstances, today we will be approving the basic orientation of the Government as a Cabinet decision through which the Government’s vision will be presented. We are committed to developing legislation to ensure that the lives and property of the people and the security of Japan are secured as quickly as possible.         

REPORTER: You explained that the security environment has transformed as a result of globalization. However, in some public opinion polls conducted by the media, there were more people who were against this change in constitutional interpretation than for it. Even in those public opinion polls where there were more people who supported this decision than those that did not, the percentages of people who were against it had increased from previous polls. Under such circumstances, I think it is quite difficult to say that there is sufficient understanding from the people. How do you intend to provide explanations to the people? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No matter what poll you look at, we deem that many people, that is, more than a majority of the respondents, expressed support for the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense. What is being approved as a Cabinet decision today is the Government’s basic orientation. Furthermore, to respond to situations in a realistic way, we will need to develop legislation. We will of course be providing extensive explanations to the people during the legislation development process. In parallel with this, there will also be Diet deliberations. Therefore, we are confident that we will be able to obtain the understanding of the people in the course of this process.

REPORTER: With regard to this method of revising the constitutional interpretation by a Cabinet decision, the media is split nearly equally regarding its pros and cons. What is your view in this regard? In addition, we have seen some radical reports in the media coverage. What are your thoughts regarding such reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I gather that the responses of the people vary depending on the way that the question is asked. At the very least, with regard to the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense that the Government is now aiming for in its basic orientation, I believe we have the understanding of around 60% of the people, including those people who believe that it is necessary. After approving the Government’s basic vision as a Cabinet decision, its details will need to be worked out by developing legislation. Therefore, in this process, we will be providing thorough and careful explanations, and we feel that in doing so we will be able to obtain the understanding of the people. I would imagine that the reactions of the people differ by newspaper poll, due to the way that the question is asked.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations. Today, director-general level consultations will be held. Could you please first share with us your expectations for the consultations or any other thoughts you may have?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, as I have stated from before, led by firm determination to resolve the abduction issue with our own hands, the Abe administration has made every effort to address the issue since its inauguration. In this sense, the Government strongly expects that North Korea will follow through with the agreement that was reached between Japan and North Korea recently, namely, swiftly conducting comprehensive investigations and making sincere efforts towards the early resolution of all issues related to Japanese nationals, including the abduction issue, such as the return to Japan of the abductees. During today’s consultations, Japan is scheduled to receive an explanation from the North Korean side regarding the organization, composition, and person in charge of the Special Investigation Committee. The Government considers it critical for the Special Investigation Committee to be fully authorized to carry out an investigation covering all organizations, and to actually commence an investigation accordingly. The Government intends to carefully examine the details of the explanation received from the North Korean side.

REPORTER: You stated just now that the Government would be examining whether the Special Investigation Committee will be commencing an effective investigation. At the same time, Japan has also agreed to lift three sanction measures that it imposes on North Korea once the investigation is begun. What is the current status of this decision-making process and the outlook for the lifting of Japan’s sanctions? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, for the first time, North Korea will be explaining matters which were agreed upon during prior negotiations. Based on the proposal presented by North Korea, we will closely examine whether, as I noted moments ago, the organization, composition, and person in charge of the Special Investigation Committee are adequate for ensuring robust investigation functions to carry out an investigation covering all organizations. These are the circumstances, and the Government as a whole will be making a decision in a comprehensive manner.

(Abridged)