Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Japan-Russia Summit telephone meeting
• The issue regarding cross-border compensation for damages caused by nuclear accidents

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-Russia summit telephone dialogues yesterday in which both leaders agreed to continue to engage in dialogue on various levels. Was such an affirmation made with the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Telephone dialogues were held yesterday at the request of President Putin, in view of the fact that it was Prime Minister Abe’s birthday. During the telephone talks Prime Minister Abe indicated to President Putin the importance of Japan and Russia engaging in dialogue, including taking the opportunity provided by multilateral international meetings such as the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to be held in Beijing this November. On this basis, the two leaders affirmed the importance of Japan and Russia continuing to engage in dialogue.

REPORTER: On a related note, can I ask about the current status of arrangements for a visit by President Putin to Japan this autumn?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Nothing has yet been decided concerning a visit to Japan. The Government will make a decision after giving comprehensive consideration to various factors.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In yesterday’s telephone dialogues, was there any mention of a visit to Japan by President Putin?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making any comment about the content of the telephone dialogues.

REPORTER: President Putin indicated a positive stance towards a summit meeting during the telephone dialogues. What were his specific comments on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just noted, it was a ten-minute telephone call and I would like to refrain from commenting on the details. However, both leaders confirmed that they would continue to engage in Japan-Russia dialogue, using the opportunity provided by multilateral international conferences and other forums.

REPORTER: I have a related question. During the talks was there any reference made to the additional sanctions on Russia?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting about the contents of the dialogues.

REPORTER: I also have a related question. You have stated that the leaders confirmed that Japan-Russia dialogue would continue. However, will this have any impact on any future sanctions on Russia imposed by Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not think there will be such an impact. As I have stated previously Japan will respond appropriately, taking into account the situation among G7 nations. That is our basic stance and it remains unchanged.

REPORTER: Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Yamaguchi met yesterday with Dr. Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy of the United States. During the meeting he explained that a bill would be submitted to the Diet by the end of the year to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), which relates to cross-border compensation for damages caused by nuclear accidents. If the convention is ratified it would enable U.S. companies to, for example, take part in the decommissioning and decontamination of reactors at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Can I ask if the aim in ratifying the convention includes such considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: To begin with, as Minister Yamaguchi explained, the CSC is a convention that enables persons who have been affected by cross-border nuclear damage to receive compensation based on international rules. As the process of decommissioning and decontamination continues at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Government believes that ratifying CSC would contribute to encouraging the participation of overseas companies with appropriate knowledge and experience in reactor decommissioning work.