Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have two announcements I would like to read out.

The first concerns the situation of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the EVD outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It is incumbent on the international community to take steadily responses. Japan has so far extended a total of approximately US$2.7 million in assistance and deployed personnel as part of Japan’s international cooperation efforts. However, there is still a shortage of supplies, including medical equipment, as well as human resources in the infected countries.
 
In particular, a Japanese company has informed us that various countries have inquired about a pharmaceutical that said company has developed which has been identified as a potentially effective treatment for EVD. The WHO is currently reviewing the use of unapproved pharmaceuticals in view of the situation. If Japan receives a request from the WHO, we stand ready to work with the company to provide the unapproved pharmaceutical. Even before the WHO reaches a conclusion, in the case of an emergency, Japan stands ready to respond to individual requests, provided that certain conditions are met. Japan will continue to explore further possibilities of cooperation based on local needs.

My second announcement concerns the disclosure of the records of the hearings conducted by the Government’s Investigation Committee on the Accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations with Mr. Masao Yoshida, former Plant Chief of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The Government has withheld these records as former Plant Chief Yoshida submitted a statement saying he did not want the records made public. Former Plant Chief Yoshida feared that the facts would be misinterpreted if it’s not viewed carefully in relation to other materials and discussions. He was concerned that all of the testimony would be misconstrued as hard facts. However, the records of the hearings of people other than former Plant Chief Yoshida will be disclosed sequentially as they become ready, provided consent is obtained from each individual. Therefore, it will be possible to verify the testimony of former Plant Chief Yoshida with the context of the records of other hearings. In addition, several newspapers have published articles giving coverage only to bits and pieces of the records of the hearings of former Plant Chief Yoshida. As such, his concerns about the testimony being misconstrued are already coming true. In light of this, it could be argued that not disclosing the records may actually run counter to the wishes of the former Plant Chief.

Taking into consideration such changes in circumstances and the purport of former Plant Chief Yoshida’s statement, we consider that the situation is becoming increasingly acceptable for disclosing the records of the hearings, after conducting a careful review of sections concerning evaluations of other individuals. Accordingly, I have instructed officials at the working level to ensure that the disclosure of the records of the hearings of former Plant Chief Yoshida will coincide with the timing of the disclosure of the records of other hearings, as soon as those records are ready to be disclosed.

That is all from me.

Q&As

• The issue regarding former Plant Chief Yoshida’s testimony
• The landslide damage caused by torrential rain in Hiroshima
• The Russia’s sanctions against Japan
• The influence of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
• The incident of dangerously close fly of Chinese military Aircraft to the U.S. Air Forces
• The issue regarding Ainu policy
• The situation of the Ebola virus disease

REPORTER: I have a question regarding former Plant Chief Yoshida’s testimony which you just spoke about. You stated that you would be changing your non-disclosure policy and disclose the records, including that of former Plant Chief Yoshida. Will the whole testimony be disclosed? I imagine there are also some privacy issues involved. Can you please provide some comments in that regard? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, both the records of former Plant Chief Yoshida and others will be disclosed but with sections pertaining to privacy-related matters blacked out.

REPORTER: Around when do you anticipate disclosing the records?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I noted earlier, in disclosing the records, we will exclude sections pertaining to the rights and interests of third parties, and to national security, among other matters. On this basis, we hope to disclose the records at the earliest possible timing in September, coinciding with the disclosure of the first set of records of the other individuals.

REPORTER: Regarding the procedure for disclosing the records, will the Government be disclosing them whenever a request is received? Or will the Government be disclosing several records all at once?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will be giving advance notification in the form of a press release to the Japan National Press Club.

REPORTER: Chief Cabinet Secretary, I have a related question. Previously you commented on obtaining the consent of the family members of the late former Plant Chief Yoshida. What is the current status of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The records will be disclosed according to the judgment made by the Government.

REPORTER: If I may confirm, have you discussed this matter with the family members? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from answering questions regarding that matter.

REPORTER: A short while ago, I believe you stated that the Government would be making considerations on matters of privacy. For example, what about the actions and evaluations of public officials? I imagine you will need to make some difficult decisions about the balance between privacy and public interests. What will be the criteria for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated earlier, we will be blacking out sections pertaining to the rights and interests of third parties, national security, and other such matters.

REPORTER: I understand that the hearings included those conducted to some extent with politicians, including former Prime Minister Kan and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano. What is the Government’s policy regarding the disclosure of the records of the hearings of such individuals?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Officials at the working level are now holding consultations one by one with the people who were part of the hearings. We hope to disclose the records of individuals in the order of their approval. As I stated moments ago, we hope to disclose those records that can be disclosed at the earliest possible timing in September and disclose them all by the end of this year.

REPORTER: Slightly changing the subject, I have a question regarding the landslide damage in Hiroshima City. Some members of the opposition parties and others continue to criticize Prime Minister Abe for continuing to golf temporarily on the morning of the disaster and for returning to his villa that evening. Can you once again explain the view of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the landslide damage caused by torrential rain, as of 9 am this morning, 52 people are dead and 28 people are missing. The torrential rain has caused catastrophic damage, including damage to many homes and lifeline interruptions. Today, too, a total of 2,850 people are engaging in the search and rescue activities around the clock. They are members of the police, fire departments, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Once again, I would like to express my condolences to the victims of this disaster. Also, I offer my deepest condolences to all of the disaster-stricken people.

Ever since the disaster occurred on the 20th, all relevant ministries and agencies of the Government have been coordinating closely. In addition, the Government, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Hiroshima City are working collectively to do everything we can. Today, the Prime Minister is at the scene.

With regard to your question, we take a whole-of-government approach to crisis management. Under normal or any other circumstances, the Prime Minister can be quickly informed of emergency situations and give the necessary instructions. In the case of the latest disaster, the Prime Minister was briefed via his Executive Secretary. In response to the developments in the situation, the Prime Minister returned to the Prime Minister’s Office from his holiday destination and gave direct instructions on the measures. I believe the necessary measures were taken. The important thing is that arrangements are in place to allow the Prime Minister to gauge the situation no matter what the circumstances are, and to give out the necessary instructions and allow the Government to take concerted actions. In this regard, I see no problems with the Prime Minister’s response. The Prime Minister returned to the Prime Minister’s Office and directly instructed Minister Furuya to take all possible responses. Upon doing this, the Prime Minister returned to his holiday destination and monitored developments in the situation. The Prime Minister was being briefed and was giving instructions from his holiday destination. As the Government as a whole is responding to the situation, I do not consider there to be any truth to the criticisms.

REPORTER: Did the Prime Minister return once to his villa to decide whether or not to continue his holiday?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I deem that was not the case. The Prime Minister returned to the Prime Minister’s Office in the middle of his holiday without time to make any arrangements before departing. Therefore, he returned to his holiday destination after giving the necessary instructions. The Government should always be responding as a whole, and detailed arrangements are in place to do this.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Yesterday, Minister Furuya stated on a TV program that the Government would be revising the Act on Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone Areas. What do you envision in terms of the revision and its timing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At this present stage, we need to first devote all of our efforts to the search and rescue of the missing people, supporting the rehabilitation of the lives of the affected people, and the swift restoration of the disaster area.

With regard to your question, I perceive that restricted areas and so forth need to be promptly designated to prevent the recurrence of devastating disasters of this magnitude. After analyzing the state of the present disaster and studying the overall responses taken, the Government will swiftly examine the necessary measures, including the revision of the Act on Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone Areas.

REPORTER: At the earliest will the bill be submitted during the extraordinary session of the Diet this autumn?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, we are first making every effort for the rescue activities and the swift restoration of the disaster area which I just mentioned. In this context, after analyzing the state of the disaster and conducting various studies, the Government will naturally examine the necessary measures as quickly as possible, including the revision of the Act on Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone Areas.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: During the initial response, I believe that it was difficult to understand the situation. But does this mean you are not going to admit that you misjudged the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe there is no truth to your statement. In any case, on that day, Minister Furuya gave out instructions, and Minister Furuya went to the disaster area. On the following day, Minister Furuya gathered various information from the members of the local headquarters and gave out instructions. Therefore, Minister Furuya was dealing with the situation, and the Prime Minister was being briefed about such matters and gave out instructions as well. 

REPORTER: I have a question about Russia’s sanctions against Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has invoked sanctions that restrict the entry of certain Japanese nationals into Russia, in retaliation to the sanctions Japan imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine. Can you please comment? Also, can you tell us what kind of people the sanctions apply to, if you know this information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Morgulov of Russia handed a list to Japanese Ambassador to Russia Harada of the Japanese nationals subject to the entry restriction. Such countermeasures have a very detrimental impact on the Japan-Russia relationship and are extremely deplorable. As Russia has not disclosed the list externally, Japan would like to refrain from disclosing the content of the list.   

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Following the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Fukushima Prefecture has been offering thyroid medical exams to people in Fukushima Prefecture who were 18 years old or younger at the time of the accident. Fukushima Prefecture has announced that the number of people diagnosed with thyroid gland cancer or suspected of having thyroid gland cancer totaled 104 people as of the end of June. Can you please share your views regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is aware of the report. According to analyses by experts, there is no precedent for administering such highly accurate exams to children with no symptoms. Furthermore, skilled physicians and other such experts conducted the exams carefully using the latest devices. Accordingly, experts point out that small, early-stage cancers may have been detected at a higher rate than the known incidence rate to date. I understand that the international assessment is also similar.

In any case, the Government will continue to closely monitor the situation, while taking into account the latest results.

Yes, please.

REPORTER: I have a question in connection with this topic. While 368,000 people were eligible for the first round of exams by Fukushima Prefecture, which you just mentioned, only 296,000 people received the exams in the first round. The screening rate was 80.5%. Converting this percentage to the number of people, 72,000 people have still not received the exams. What are your thoughts regarding the screening situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, it is desirable that as many people as possible or all people are tested. Fukushima Prefecture has taken steady steps to encourage people to receive the exams. Furthermore, the Prefecture has been working hard to offer the exams at additional locations to ensure opportunities for receiving the exams. Despite sending out notices individually to those eligible for the exams and promoting them, the screening rate was still 80.5%. I understand that a second round of study will be conducted. Fukushima Prefecture has been asked to make further efforts to increase the screening rate when it is time for the second round to be conducted, and the Government will provide necessary assistance.

REPORTER: In international airspace over the South China Sea, a fighter of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army flew dangerously close to an anti-submarine patrol aircraft of the U.S. Forces. Can you please share your comments if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the Government of Japan is aware that both the U.S. and Chinese Governments have made announcements regarding this matter. Japan is concerned as a dangerously close intercept of an aircraft by a fighter is a very unsafe act that could cause an unforeseen accident. In May and June of this year, Chinese fighters flew dangerously close to the aircraft of the SDF. On those occasions, Japan lodged strong protests to China. Japan hopes that China behaves appropriately in order to ensure that such unsafe acts are not repeated.      

REPORTER: I have a question regarding a slightly old matter. A member of the Sapporo City Assembly from the Liberal Democratic Party allegedly wrote on Twitter: “The Ainu people no longer exist. At most they are Japanese people of Ainu descent, but they insist on exercising their rights. It’s unreasonable. I cannot explain it to taxpayers.” Chief Cabinet Secretary, you are the Chair of the Government’s Council for Ainu Policy Promotion. What is your opinion on this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government is working proactively to execute our Ainu policy, namely, the development of the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony, regarding which a Cabinet decision was approved in June of this year, and improving the living standards of the Ainu people. It is extremely regrettable that the stance of the Government is not understood. The Government will continue to make efforts to raise public understanding.

Furthermore, each of the measures for improving the living standards of the Ainu people has established a set of concepts and criteria, such as having a low income. It is not the case that any Ainu person may benefit from this service. The tweet completely ignores this reality and is very regrettable.  

REPORTER: Regarding your opening statement on Japan’s responses to EVD, you stated that the Government stands ready to work with companies to the extent possible to supply unapproved pharmaceuticals. What kind of a role will the Government be playing? For example, will the Government be establishing special exceptions to regulations? Or will the Government be providing funding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, as part of Japan’s international cooperation efforts, the Government will work with companies to provide pharmaceuticals if they satisfy a specific criteria and if there is a request from the WHO, while closely following the debates within the WHO. That is one role.

Additionally, the Government understands that medical practitioners may urgently request the provision of T-705 even before the WHO reaches a conclusion. In such circumstances, the Government will respond to individual requests, provided that certain conditions are met.

REPORTER: If I may, regarding the pharmaceutical you mentioned, are you in fact referring to Avigan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand that T-705 is a pill, and the product name is Avigan.

REPORTER: I have another question. In other words, will the Government be taking the lead and providing financing? Will the Government be establishing special exceptions to regulations? Where does the Government fit in?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Our first and foremost priority is to collaborate with the WHO. In this context and if a request is actually received, the Government stands ready to assist while coordinating with the relevant countries.

(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: Sorry, I have a question regarding EVD. I now have a clear understanding of Japan’s responses vis-à-vis the WHO. However, with regard to the status of the Government’s current measures for Japan, is my understanding correct that there are no significant changes from before? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is correct. As I have explained, the Government is providing information on our website, and alerting people leaving and returning to Japan through posters. Also, in light of the recent situation, the Government has raised the travel advice and warning for EVD-hit West African countries to “Recommendation to consider whether or not to travel.” The Government is also checking people entering Japan through thermography and self-declarations. It remains completely unchanged that the Government is taking utmost measures at the border.    

(Abridged)