Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

REPORTER: I have a question relating to Japan-North Korea relations as mentioned in this morning’s press conference. Will the first report of the investigation from North Korea be issued in late summer or in early autumn?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It will be issued roughly sometime from late summer to early autumn.

REPORTER: When you say ‘roughly’ I presume you mean within a one- to two-month period. Since it is being referred to as the ‘first report,’ would it be correct to assume that several reports will be released?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle, once the investigation is launched, that will only mark the beginning. As I have stated in this venue, basically, the investigation should be completed within approximately one year. I have been informed that the North Korean side will take into account what I have said. Therefore I believe that the investigations should be completed within a year. However, during the Governmental-level consultations it was agreed that the first report following the commencement of the investigation should be issued sometime between late summer and early autumn, and I believe that that is what will happen. Since it is referred to as the ‘first report,’ I of course imagine that other reports will be issued after the investigation has made a certain amount of progress.

REPORTER: To confirm, does the Government envisage regular reports being issued at certain intervals, such as every six or twelve months?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The investigation is only just beginning, and if the investigation progresses quickly reports may also be issued quickly. However, the Government considers this to be a matter that we cannot allow to drag on forever. During the latest talks and based on my statement that the investigations should be completed within a year, the North Korean side indicated that in order to implement the Japan-North Korea agreement in good faith, it intends to swiftly carry out the investigation and complete it as soon as possible.

REPORTER: You indicated this morning that an investigation delegation would be dispatched in line with the progress of the investigation of the Special Investigation Committee. At this stage what kind of members do you foresee the investigation delegation consisting of?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The delegation will include members of the Headquarters on the Abduction Issue. Additionally, members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also be involved in the negotiations. The team will be put together in a comprehensive manner utilizing such personnel. Specifically, as stated in the agreement which agreed in May, in accordance with the progress of the North Korean investigation, I believe we will consider dispatching Japanese officials to North Korea, meeting with persons concerned, visiting sites related to the abduction issue and sharing related materials between North Korea and Japan in order to ensure that we can confirm any progress that North Korea will have made.

REPORTER: Will the investigation delegation consist primarily of working-level officials, and will not include any politicians?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle, we are considering working-level officials for the team.

REPORTER: I would like to return to your mention of ‘late summer to early autumn.’ Why is that particular period considered preferable? Is it because you want to firmly ascertain the progress of the investigation every two to three months, or is it because you predict that a report on one of the four aspects of the investigation could be prepared within that kind of timeframe? Could you explain the background to the timing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not believe that the specific timing of the reporting to be carried out by the North Korean side is set. However, the Japanese side and the North Korean side have a shared understanding that it would be preferable that the first report will be issued this year between late summer and early autumn, and I imagine a specific date will likely be negotiated through diplomatic channels.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Special Investigation Committee. During this morning’s press conference you welcomed the fact that the committee has been granted special authority by the National Defense Commission, which is the supreme body of North Korea, to conduct investigations over all the institutions. You also stated that that is one of the criteria for the partial lifting of restrictions. However, I would like to know how you ascertained that such special authority had been granted. Was this through a verbal explanation received during the course of the Japan-North Korea Governmental-level consultations? Or did you confirm it through some other method such as a copy of a written directive from First Secretary Kim Jong-un, for example?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Japanese side made intensive inquiries as to whether authority to conduct investigations over all institutions would be appropriately granted to the committee since that is an extremely important issue. The Government has determined that a concrete structure is in place that will enable effective investigation. We have based our judgment on the following elements: the Special Investigation Committee has been granted special authority to conduct investigations over all the institutions by the National Defense Commission, which is the supreme body of North Korea. In addition, the Chair of the Special Investigation Committee is also a senior official in the National Defense Commission and the State Security Department. Furthermore, the institutions that will be participating in the investigation include the State Security Department, the Ministry of People’s Security and the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces.

I have also received reports that the North Korean side has explained that the investigation committee will be able to conduct investigations over all institutions as it has been granted special authority to do so by the National Defense Commission, which is the supreme body of North Korea and which is in a position to direct all other organizations in the country. North Korea also mentioned that the investigation committee has the ability to put anything into effect unconditionally.

REPORTER: I believe visits of persons related to North Korea will be one of the restrictions that Japan will be lifting. Will the ban on the reentry to Japan of people related to the General Association of Korean Residents and employees of that association also be lifted?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, I believe that will also be lifted.

REPORTER: Will that mean that the reentry to Japan of Mr. Ho Jong Man, Chairman of the General Association of Korean Residents, will also be permitted?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, I believe it will. In any case, I would like to issue a proper report about the specifics following tomorrow’s Cabinet decision.

(Abridged)