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 three general and other measures, the promulgation of a treaty, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made statements concerning the Analysis of the Labour Economy 2014 and the presentation of certificates and commemorative gifts to 100-year-old senior citizens.

Today, we have decided to appoint State Minister of Justice Yasuhiro Hanashi to concurrently serve as State Minister of Cabinet Office and to appoint Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice Taku Otsuka to concurrently serve as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office. They will be supporting Minister Matsushima, who is in charge of the work related to the system for the protection of specially designated secrets.

Today, prior to the Cabinet meeting, the eighth meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for Space Development was held. At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Yamaguchi reported on the progress of the discussions at the Committee on the National Space Policy. At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed that “a new Basic Plan for Space Policy be established in a way that contributes to strengthening the foundation of the space industry, in view of the increasing importance of space to Japan’s security.” It was decided at the Headquarters that a new Basic Plan for Space Policy would be compiled based on vigorous discussions. For more information, I ask that you please direct your questions to the Office of National Space Policy, Cabinet Office.

Today, following the Cabinet meeting, a joint meeting of the 35th meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and fourth meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council was held. The agenda of the meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters was: deciding on the removal of Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture from the list of Evacuation Order Areas; and a briefing on the progress of the efforts for accelerating Fukushima’s reconstruction from the nuclear disaster. The agenda of the meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council was: a briefing on the outcomes of confirming emergency responses in the Sendai district of Kagoshima Prefecture; and a briefing on the holding of the FY2014 Nuclear Energy Disaster Prevention Drill. With regard to Fukushima, the Prime Minister instructed that the relevant ministers work together to strengthen the measures so that evacuation orders can also be lifted in other municipalities. With regard to nuclear emergency preparedness, the Prime Minister instructed members to quickly enhance and reinforce the Government’s nuclear emergency preparedness in order to further strengthen the efforts outside the Sendai district. The organizations of the Government will steadily follow through on these instructions. For more information, I ask that you please direct your questions to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.    

I have an announcement regarding the Headquarters for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan. Today, the first meeting of the Headquarters for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan was held following the Cabinet meeting. As part of the agenda, the basic policies of the Headquarters for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan were decided. Prime Minister Abe explained that vitalizing local economies is a challenge of the utmost urgency and asked the Headquarters to continue to address this issue with a sense of speed. Also, as is shown in the material in front of you, it has been decided that the 12 individuals listed therein will serve as expert members of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan. We have asked distinguished experts from wide-ranging sectors who are well-versed in overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economies to serve as members. They will be appointed as members of the Council after the necessary procedures are taken and after they have formally accepted the appointments.

Q&As

• The misreported article of TEPCO at Fukushima by Asahi Shimbun
• The situation in Ukraine
• The Japan-China- ROK summit meeting
• The disclosure of the testimonies pertaining to the nuclear accident

REPORTER: Yesterday, The Asahi Shimbun retracted an article reporting on the testimony provided by Mr. Masao Yoshida, saying that the article misreported that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) staff at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station defied the orders of Mr. Yoshida and withdrew from the power station. The President of The Asahi Shimbun also gave a press conference in which he apologized for the error. Can you please share your comments?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to yesterday’s press conference, it is a given that freedom of speech and freedom of the press must be protected. At the same time, however, as the Prime Minister has also stated, considering the huge impact of the media, the media obviously needs to pay keen attention to ensure that there is no misreporting. Should there be any erroneous reporting, the company should quickly and clearly correct the error in view of the serious consequences that such an error would have on the reputation and trust of individuals, companies, and nations. It should do its utmost to restore the damaged reputation in a responsible manner.      

REPORTER: I have a related question. The article stated that the staff “withdrew” against orders, ultimately giving the wrong impression, including to other countries, that the staff had fled. What is your opinion regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It seems that this matter was also addressed during yesterday’s press conference. I would like The Asahi Shimbun to handle this and other related matters in a responsible manner.  

REPORTER: I have a question in connection with this issue. The Asahi Shimbun has also come under heavy criticism for the way it has dealt with its articles on the “comfort women” issue. What is your view of The Asahi Shimbun’s series of responses?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In my mind, The Asahi Shimbun should have apologized as soon as possible after finding out that the articles were erroneous. It should have apologized much sooner.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the situation in Ukraine. The European Union (EU) has strengthened its sanctions against Russia, claiming that there have been no improvements in the situation. President Obama of the United States has announced that it would also impose tougher sanctions, keeping in step with the EU. My first question is, what is the reaction of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated from before, Japan will deal with this matter appropriately in view of the situation in Ukraine, including the state of the ceasefire, and the responses taken by the United States and the EU, while placing importance on our partnership with the G7 countries.

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, you just referred to Japan’s partnership with the G7. The Japanese Government had also imposed sanctions against Russia. Does Japan have any intention to keep in step with the sanctions of other G7 members?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, the view of the Government is that Japan will deal with the situation appropriately while working together with the G7.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Japanese and Russian Governments had agreed upon President Putin’s visit to Japan this autumn. However, Russian Ambassador to Japan Afanasiev suggested that the preparations have fallen through for the President’s visit to Japan, something for which a clear timetable had been set. Can you please share with us your comments, if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In our understanding, the comment made by the Russian Ambassador to Japan does not indicate that President Putin decided to postpone his visit to Japan. In any case, as I have stated from before, nothing has been decided with regard to the itinerary of the President’s visit to Japan. A decision will be made based on a comprehensive assessment of various factors.

REPORTER: The Russian Ambassador to Japan has stated that Japan’s sanctions against Russia have affected Japan-Russia relations. What is your view regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Based on what was said following yesterday’s comments by the Ambassador, the Japanese Government’s understanding is that the comments did not mean that the President decided to postpone his visit to Japan.

REPORTER: President Putin has ordered a large-scale military exercise in the Far East. May I once again ask you to comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not yet received any concrete details regarding this.

REPORTER: My question is in regard to the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting. Yesterday, Japan, China, and the ROK held vice foreign minister-level consultations in Seoul but failed to reach an agreement regarding the swift realization of a trilateral summit meeting. A Japan-China-ROK summit meeting has not been held since the inauguration of the second Abe administration. How will Japan strive to realize the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at the working-level consultations, the three countries concurred that they will continue to discuss the necessity of holding trilateral talks at the foreign minister- and summit-levels, maintain and strengthen the momentum for trilateral cooperation, and take appropriate steps. While nothing is decided at this moment in time, the three countries have agreed to make efforts towards the holding of the summit. Accordingly, the three countries will continue to work together in this regard.

REPORTER: I have a question related to the disclosure of the testimonies pertaining to the nuclear accident. There were considerable differences between the arguments and understanding of TEPCO and the senior members of the Government led by the Democratic Party of Japan, including former Prime Minister Kan, over the responses to the accident. What is your view regarding the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Such things are coming to light as a result of the disclosure of the testimonies. However, the Investigation Committee on the Accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations compiled its report taking such factors into consideration. Furthermore, the Nuclear Regulation Authority prepared measures based on this report. Therefore, such various factors have been fully taken into consideration.

REPORTER: Completely changing the subject, seven years ago today, September 12, was the day that the first Abe Cabinet resigned. The circumstances are now very different from back then. You yourself probably had various thoughts at the time and are drawing on them today. Can you please share your current thoughts if you have any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I had totally forgotten. Well, in any case, when we founded the current Abe administration, we reflected on the circumstances of the first administration. The Prime Minister has indeed been exercising political leadership in the running of the Government, been strongly determined to carry out reforms, and been making the stance of the administration clear, and based on past reflection, we are all working as one to do whatever needs to be done, steadily and carefully, under the Prime Minister’s leadership. I think that is what it comes down to. 

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of Mr. Yoshida’s testimony. Its disclosure has revealed once again that the Plant Chief had anticipated the possibility of a severe situation developing, envisioning catastrophe for eastern Japan. I would think this places even greater responsibility on the Government over its decision regarding the restarting of nuclear power stations. How do you view the content of Mr. Yoshida’s testimony?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: So as I said, a number of different things are coming to light, including the sense of urgency that former Plant Chief Yoshida felt by being at the scene and the Government’s response to this. Taking these factors into account, the Investigation Committee compiled a report to ensure that such accidents never happen again, and based on this report, regulatory requirements were established in Japan which are said to be the most rigorous in the world. Nuclear power stations that satisfy these regulatory requirements will be restarted. This will of course be done based on careful consultations with the host communities. In this regard, we will take steps to draw on the lessons learned and ensure that such accidents never happen again.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to this issue. In his testimony, Mr. Yoshida expresses appreciation to the Self-Defense Forces, police, fire departments, and other such relevant institutions for their activities. However, Mr. Yoshida also makes some critical remarks, saying that some members were not very useful or that effective rescue work did not take place. On this basis, I would like to ask two questions. First, what is your assessment of the adequacy of the activities of the relevant institutions at the time? Secondly, three and a half years later, do you consider that sufficient reforms have been carried out that enhance the relevant institutions’ accident response measures in harsh conditions? If any progress has been made, could you please explain in detail?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Investigation Committee compiled its report based on regret over such responses taken at the time. The standards for the responses are now much more rigorous than before from a variety of perspectives. In this context, this morning, too, a joint meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council was held. In light of such experiences, we are carefully developing arrangements to ensure that such accidents never happen again. 

REPORTER: There remain just under 700 testimonies gathered by the Investigation Committee. Can you please tell us the schedule of the disclosure of the testimonies, provided this has been decided, or anything else that may have been finalized?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: By the end of the year, we hope to disclose the testimonies for which we have obtained the consent of the individuals concerned. This time, we disclosed the testimonies of 19 individuals. Once we have obtained consent from more people, we will be disclosing their testimonies in order.

REPORTER: Do you envision releasing the testimonies in order only after you have a certain number of testimonies that can be released?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If you take, for example, the testimonies from 19 individuals that were disclosed yesterday, towards the end, the staff were working through the night for several consecutive days. We hope to release the testimonies as quickly as possible. As we initially said the end of the year, by then we aim to obtain the consent of the individuals and release the testimonies in phases once we have a certain number that can be released.    

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the reasons for blacking out and not disclosing some sections of the testimonies. Are there any reasons other than because the sections concern privacy, pertain to national security, or violate the interests of third parties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle I do not think so. The sections contain personal information, concern the rights and interests of third parties, or relate to national security. Indeed, we deem that we should not reveal the entire content of the individual testimonies. The sections are blacked out only from these standpoints. In principle, we will be disclosing all of the testimonies for which we obtained consent from the individuals.