Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The illustrations of atomic mushroom clouds published by Chinese newspaper
• The candidate for the dispersed deployment of Osprey aircraft
• The launch of missiles by North Korea

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about the publication of a map in a Chinese newspaper showing illustrations of atomic mushroom clouds over Nagasaki and Hiroshima. This morning you stated that the Government had lodged a protest about these illustrations with the editors responsible in China, through the Japanese Consulate General to Chongqing. Did the Chinese side make any assertions on their part?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting about what the Chinese side has said or done. In addition, the Japanese Ambassador to China has made a protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Japanese Consul General to Chongqing has also protested to the local government of Chongqing. In these protests we have raised objections about the response of the Chongqing Youth Daily to this matter and called on Chinese authorities to address this matter appropriately.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In this morning’s press conference you stated that as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings this kind of publication cannot be tolerated. I understand that this is something that Japan cannot accept, but how do you intend to call on China to prevent a similar recurrence?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government initially made a protest to the editor in chief of the Chongqing Youth Daily, following which we went further in making protests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the local government of Chongqing, as I just explained. The illustrations were extremely thoughtless and are of a nature that would incense the atomic bomb survivors, who have experienced unbearable hardships, as well as their families. As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan cannot tolerate this. As such, the Government has strongly protested the matter to the national and local governments in China.

REPORTER: On a related note, are you not able to share with us the assertions made by the Chinese side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on that point.

REPORTER: According to some press reports Gunma Prefecture is being specifically mentioned as a candidate for the dispersed deployment of Osprey aircraft. What is the status of considerations on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of these reports. It is a fact that the Ministry of Defense is currently examining the development of bases in locations other than Okinawa for Osprey aircraft exercises from various perspectives, with a view to reducing the burden of bases on Okinawa. However, no specific locations have yet been decided. Whatever the case, I believe that when implementing exercises in locations outside Okinawa it will be important to seek the understanding of local residents.

REPORTER: Is the Government engaging in consultations with regard to locations for exercises?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, it is the case that we are considering the development of bases in locations other than Okinawa for Osprey aircraft exercises from a variety of perspectives. However we have not decided on any specific locations.

REPORTER: Around when is a decision expected to be made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has announced that from the perspective of reducing the burden on Okinawa, we will seek to develop other locations around the country for Osprey exercises, to the extent that it is possible to do so. We are currently seeking the cooperation of various locations to act as bases for such exercises.

REPORTER: With regard to the launch of missiles by North Korea and its impact on the Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations, in this morning’s press conference you stated that there is no change to Japan’s position to carefully examine the progress of North Korea’s investigations. In the event that North Korea escalates its actions, including the launch of a long-range missile or nuclear test, for example, will the Government’s response to the consultations change?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly I do not think that I should respond on behalf of the Government to a hypothetical question about what North Korea might do. However, whatever the case, Japan will continue to take into consideration the sanctions based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and it is a fact that the Government has already indicated to North Korea that if such actions were to take place it would lead to an extremely serious situation.

REPORTER: Has the Government already conveyed this stance to the North Korean side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Naturally we have done so.