Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With the continuing destabilization of the situation in Ukraine, the Government of Japan has decided to take the two new following measures, for which the necessary cabinet understanding was adopted today. First, we will further step up the inspections of exports of weapons and other items of military use to Russia. Second, among other actions, we will ban certain Russian banks and other institutions from issuing securities in Japan. Please take a look at the material which has been distributed to you for a summary of the measures. For more information, I ask that you direct your questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and other relevant ministries. Japan stands ready to revise or lift the measures pursuant to today’s decision, if Russia takes proactive and clear-cut actions for the peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. Japan will continue to work towards the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the situation in Ukraine in coordination with the international community, including the G7 countries.

Q&As

• The additional measures to Russia on the situation of Ukraine
• The strengthens of the regulations for the fight against terrorism
• The U.S. Forces airstrikes in Syria in response to ISIL
• The visit to the Northern Territories by the Russian Senior Government Official
• The issue regarding National Strategic Special Zone
• The Japan’s contribution for CO2 reductions

REPORTER: This announcement comes about two weeks after the imposition of additional sanctions by the European Union (EU). Why did Japan choose this timing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In exploring the measures that were decided today, Japan took into account the current situation surrounding Ukraine, and put priority on Japan’s partnership with the G7, bearing in mind also the holding of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, among other factors. Preparations were made based on the Prime Minister’s instructions, including at the discussions of the four ministers’ meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on the 16th. The Prime Minister instructed that the necessary procedures proceed as soon as possible. Therefore, today, a Cabinet meeting was held through written deliberations.    

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting that you just noted will take place tomorrow. So are you saying that the measures were taken in time for this meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Rather, the measures were decided based on the instructions that the Prime Minister gave at the four ministers’ meeting of the NSC on September 16. Following this decision, the necessary procedures proceed as soon as possible, and that timing was today.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The decision to impose sanctions itself had been made as of the four ministers’ meeting on the 16th?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The direction of the sanctions was decided.

REPORTER: In the meantime, over the weekend, Prime Minister Abe held telephone dialogue with President Putin. Was the topic of sanctions touched upon at all on this occasion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Of course not.

REPORTER: Japan’s additional decided sanctions can be viewed as watered down compared to the additional sanctions of the EU and the United States. Was this because Japan also has the Northern Territories issue and took this into consideration to some degree?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The sanctions were decided based on Japan’s judgment in coordination with the G7.

REPORTER: Related to this, No. 1 and No. 2…

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Excuse me?

REPORTER: Can you please quantify the sanctions for us? Moreover, what is your understanding of whether their quantity is significant enough to give a major impact?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: For information on this, please direct your questions to MOFA and other relevant ministries.

REPORTER: It is expected that the strengthening of sanctions will further harden Russia’s attitude towards Japan. Can you please tell us once again what the Japanese Government’s stance is on President Putin’s visit to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, we anticipate that the measures will have no impact with regard to President Putin. Japan has consistently maintained the basic policy of working with G7 countries. In this context, Japan intends to fulfill its role towards the resolution of the Ukraine issue, while also maintaining communication with Russia. This is Japan’s basic policy. With regard to Japan-Russia relations, Japan will continue to strengthen the relationship that serves Japan’s national interests. As for President Putin’s visit to Japan, as I have stated every time, nothing is decided as of now. Preparations will be made based on a examination of the matter by considering various factors in an integrated manner, that fact remains unchanged.  

REPORTER: I have a related question. I understand that during the recent telephone talks, Prime Minister Abe brought up the idea of holding a summit meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in November. In your opinion, the additional sanctions also won’t affect this summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe they will not.

REPORTER: Changing topics, in your press conference the other day, you indicated that so-called conspiracy-related bills would not be submitted to this autumn’s extraordinary Diet session. On the other hand, you noted Japan’s need to fulfill its treaty obligations for the fight against terrorism. You stated that a new bill which strengthens existing regulations on the movement of funds by terrorists would thus be submitted to the extraordinary Diet session. What is the status of the arrangements?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, it is true that we have been told to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body that globally promotes measures for such threats. In this light, relevant ministries and agencies are carrying out reviews to submit a bill to the next extraordinary Diet session.
 
REPORTER: According to some reports, U.S. Vice President Biden requested to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Abe on the 26th. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not yet been informed of this. The Prime Minister hopes to hold meetings with many leaders and relevant persons on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. I imagine that this meeting would be one of them.

REPORTER: Changing the subject, I have a question concerning the U.S. Forces’ airstrikes in Syria in response to the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL) offensive. I believe the United States decided to conduct airstrikes without a UN Security Council resolution and the agreement of the parties involved in Syria. What is your assessment on whether the airstrikes are appropriate under international law?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, multiple cities not only in Iraq but also in Syria are being seized by the offensive of this armed insurgent, ISIL. The offensive has resulted in many casualties. Japan is deeply concerned about this situation and strongly condemns such offensives by armed insurgents. Japan has supported the international community’s fight against ISIL, including the fight of the United States. Our understanding is that the airstrikes in Syrian territory were a measure taken to put an end to the further deterioration of the situation caused by the ISIL offensive.

REPORTER: I have a related question. As you also said just now, Japan supports the actions of the United States and the international community, and understands the airstrikes as a measure for preventing the further deterioration of the situation. What is the difference in meaning between “support” and “understand”?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The meaning is that, Japan has clearly supported the fight against ISIL. With regard to the airstrikes, however, we do not have a clear grasp of the current situation. Nevertheless, obviously our view is that further deterioration of the situation must be avoided. Therefore, we express our understanding in regard to the airstrikes.

REPORTER: In regard to this, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN expressed the view that the airstrikes in Syria were conducted as an exercise of the right of self-defense. Right now, I believe the Japanese Government is proceeding with the work of developing security legislation based on the Cabinet decision that approved the exercise of the right of collective self-defense. In your ongoing study of Japan’s security legislation, are you considering whether the United States’ exercise of the right of self-defense could lead to Japan’s exercise of the right of collective self-defense?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is completely unthinkable.

REPORTER: My question has to do with ISIL. There is a Japanese male who is being detained by ISIL. What will be the impact of Japan’s expression of support? Also, what is the current status of Japan’s response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The local Japanese embassy is using all possible means to gather information and making requests regarding the missing Japanese national who is allegedly being detained. I would like to refrain from making any further comments.

REPORTER: In this morning’s press conference, you stated that Japan would be lodging a protest against the visit to the Northern Territories by the Russian Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. Have you actually carried this out?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, I was briefed that a protest was lodged against Russia at Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 3:30 pm.

REPORTER: Concerning this matter, Chief of Staff Ivanov revealed that the Minister of Defence would also be visiting Etorofu Island. Can you please comment on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated from a short while ago, Japan lodged a protest against Russia, asserting that the Four Northern Islands are Japanese territory and that the Japanese Government finds that the visits to the islands by senior Russian Government officials completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable. Regarding your question on the possible visit of the Minister of Defence, we communicated our concerns and requested the cancellation of the visit during the stage of our protest.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the topic of the airstrikes in Syria. In short, what is your opinion on whether or not the airstrikes violate international law? It seems that the Russian side is saying they violate international law and the U.S. side is saying they are legal. Leaving aside Japan’s position of understanding and support, what is your view on whether or not the airstrikes violate international law?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated, Japan does not yet have a grasp of the details. Be that as it may, is it not true that an end must be put to the further deterioration of the situation by the ISIL offensive? Based on these circumstances, we are using the term “understand.”

REPORTER: Does that mean that your judgment on this is still suspended?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Excuse me?

REPORTER: Does that mean your judgment is suspended regarding whether or not the airstrikes are illegal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government of Japan has been formally expressing clear support for the fight against ISIL. Although we have yet to collect detailed information regarding the situation, we have said that we “understand” the airstrikes as a measure for preventing the situation’s further deterioration. This will be done from here on out.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding National Strategic Special Zone. During the Prime Minister’s conversation with the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, I understand the Prime Minister said he would review and study the possibility of a special financial zone in Tokyo. Can you please tell us, to the extent that you are aware, what the Prime Minister said exactly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, the Prime Minister stated that he intends to turn Tokyo into a financial hub of Asia, and that he will undertake various reforms to this end. He stated that in order to proceed with reforms, he would review and study whether it was possible to set up a financial special zone in Tokyo, which has been designated as a National Strategic Special Zone. Furthermore, in July, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government compiled the “Initiatives for the Tokyo Global Financial Center.” The Government hopes to launch the Council of Tokyo National Strategic Special Zone as early as possible. I am aware that Governor Masuzoe has expressed a strong desire to establish a financial special zone.  

REPORTER: At the UN Climate Summit that drew to a close a short while ago, the Prime Minister stated that Japan aims to submit its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) for CO2 reductions as early as possible. By around when does the Government intend to do this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the Prime Minister stated “as early as possible.” In any case, once we enter October, we will be launching an advisory panel to proceed with this. 

REPORTER: My question is related to this. Countries able to do so will be submitting their INDCs by next March, ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP21) which will be held at the end of next year. Will next March be one of the target dates? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will of course decide on a policy upon launching the advisory panel in October and holding a series of consultations with distinguished experts.