Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue regarding the dengue fever case.
• The memorial message sent by Prime Minister
• The issue of comfort women
• The situation in Ukraine

REPORTER: A case of dengue fever has been confirmed. Is this true? What responses will the Government be taking?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government has received an initial report regarding this dengue fever case. Although some 200 cases of dengue fever contracted from abroad are reported each year in Japan, this was the first infection in Japan in over 60 years. The Government will work with the local government to study the route of infection and take other such actions. In addition, the Government has notified local governments and medical institutions in Japan to report any suspicious cases. The Government is thus taking proactive steps to gather information. Furthermore, the Government will continue to deal with any necessary matters based on the study results. However, even if someone contracts dengue fever, it is very rare that a severe condition develops. Dengue fever is not infected directly with human to human. Although there are mosquitoes that transmit viruses in Japan, it is said that such mosquitoes cannot survive through the winter. Therefore, I believe a calm response is needed.

REPORTER: It has come to light that Prime Minister Abe sent a memorial message to a Buddhist memorial ceremony honoring former Japanese military personnel who were indicted as Class-A and Class-B/C war criminals. This message was sent to a location where there is a memorial statue that asserts that the war crimes tribunals were harsh and retaliatory, and that they have no historical precedence anywhere in the world. The Prime Minister’s action could be interpreted by other countries as an act that denies the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. What is your opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government would like to refrain from making comments as the act was performed in a private capacity. Having said that, with regard to Class-A war criminals, it is true that the International Military Tribunal for the Far East charged the defendants with crimes against peace. Japan accepts the Tribunal’s judgment in the San Francisco Peace Treaty. It is as I have stated repeatedly to date.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You said that the act was performed in a private capacity. However, in the past two years, last year and this year, the Prime Minister sent the message as President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Can you still say that the message was sent in a private capacity?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister sent the message as the LDP President. Therefore, I consider that he sent the message not in his capacity as the Prime Minister but in a private capacity. As such, I would like to refrain from making comments.

REPORTER: But it remains unchanged that he is the leader of a political party. Do you have any comments in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Is it natural and customary to write down one’s job title even in a private capacity?

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the meaning of “private capacity.” In the eyes of other countries, Prime Minister Abe is a single individual. It is as if you are saying the same person is two different people. I think that is somewhat unreasonable. I do not really understand what you mean when you say that the Government will not comment because this was done in a private capacity. I would understand a little bit if you had cited freedom of religion as the reason for not commenting. Leaving aside the question of whether the Tokyo War Crimes Trials were right or wrong, is it appropriate for the Prime Minister to make this distinction, given that the Government accepts the judgment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am of course sure there are a number of different views concerning this. However, in my mind, it is usually natural to include one’s job title even in a private capacity.

REPORTER: At the end of the day, however, it is all the same in the eyes of other countries. I gather that the impact on Japan, the people, and diplomacy is exactly the same either way. What are your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I deem that the Prime Minister sent the message as Shinzo Abe, LDP President. The Government’s understanding is that this was done in a private capacity.

REPORTER: In connection with this topic, do you then believe that it was appropriate for the Prime Minister to perform such an act as LDP President?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the Government would like to refrain from making comments. However, as I stated a short while ago, Japan accepts the judgment regarding the Class-A war criminals in the San Francisco Peace Treaty. I have stated this repeatedly.

REPORTER: I am well aware of what you are trying to say. However, even if you say these things and even if you say that this is the view of the Government, the views of other countries do not change at all because Prime Minister Abe makes this distinction when he performs these acts. I think there is a problem in that such acts can have diplomatic consequences. I suspect that in the eyes of other countries, repeating the Government’s view that you noted earlier does nothing to refute the accusations that are made when Prime Minister Abe performs such acts. Is it correct that the Government will continue to not comment on this matter for such reasons and continue to make this distinction?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: You just stated that you understand what I am saying. Then I would be grateful if you would understand based on my earlier explanation.

REPORTER: Yesterday, I understand that LDP Chairman of the Policy Research Council Takaichi made a request to you with regard to the issue of “comfort women.” Can you please once again explain the Government’s current view regarding the Kono Statement? Also, can you comment on whether or not you have any intention to release a new Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As for the Government, first of all, in 2007 the first Abe Cabinet passed a Cabinet decision stating that there was no direct evidence of forceful recruitment. Furthermore, the recent study on the drafting process of the Kono Statement revealed that negotiations took place based on the recognition that forceful recruitment could not be confirmed. The Government communicates this both within and outside Japan. With regard to the Kono Statement, as I have stated on numerous occasions, the Government will succeed the Kono Statement and will not review it.

REPORTER: On a related note, are you then saying that there is no room to give any particular consideration to releasing a new Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Statement next year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have consistently stated that the Government’s position is to succeed and not review the Kono Statement. However, as a proposal related to this matter was made by the ruling parties yesterday, I received the proposal.

REPORTER: Will you be considering this from now on?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I meant was that the Government took the fact that the ruling parties submitted such a proposal seriously. I did not mean that I would be considering it so to speak.

REPORTER: Is it your opinion that issuing a new statement does not necessarily conflict with succeeding the Kono Statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I did not say anything like that. As this was a request from the ruling parties, I believe it is logical that the Government receives the proposal.

REPORTER: I am sorry but when you say “receive,” it sounds like you are considering it.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, I did not say I would consider it.

REPORTER: A new statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, the ruling parties formally presented the Government with the proposal. The ruling parties deliberated this and then presented the proposal. Therefore, in my view, it is in a sense logical that the Government takes the proposal seriously.

REPORTER: So you are not considering issuing a new statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: All I did was receive the proposal yesterday.

REPORTER: Nothing more?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Correct.

REPORTER: Chief Cabinet Secretary, then what about the other items in the request? For example, there was a request that the Government step up its international public relations efforts and conduct more rigorous textbook screenings.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to such aspects, as there was no forceful recruitment, I believe it is important that the Government thoroughly explains this to other countries.

REPORTER: Regarding the situation in Ukraine, President Putin of Russia and President Poroshenko of Ukraine held talks. During the talks, the two sides concurred that an urgent ceasefire was needed for the conflict in Eastern Ukraine and agreed to create a roadmap to this end. What is the Japanese Government’s assessment of these outcomes? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The two Presidents held talks, and the Government of Japan would like to commend this positive development towards a diplomatic solution of the situation in Ukraine. While the Government is still collecting information on the details, we understand that the two leaders discussed a variety of issues, including strengthening border control, holding peace talks, and the resumption of consultations for the settlement of the gas and other issues. The Government hopes that all relevant parties will exercise self-restraint and respond through dialogue for the prompt normalization of the situation in Ukraine.