Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Japan- North Korea government-level consultations
• The Japan-China high-level consultation on maritime affairs
• The issue regarding the TPP negotiation

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japan-North Korea government-level consultations. Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida has announced that government-level consultations with North Korea will be held in Shenyang, China on September 29. The Minister explained that the first report from the Special Investigation Committee would not be presented at the consultations. What is the purpose of these consultations? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, as I have explained, in mid-September North Korea notified us that as of now, it was unable to provide explanations beyond the early-stage results of the investigations. North Korea also stated that the timing of submitting the first report of the investigation results was undecided. Under these circumstances, the Japanese Government has been negotiating with North Korea, based on our stance that North Korea ought to conduct the investigations promptly and report the results swiftly. In this regard, Japan has been coordinating with North Korea through the embassy channel in Beijing. Japan’s request was that we would first like to receive a detailed explanation from diplomatic authorities regarding the status of the investigations and what sort of investigations are taking place. North Korea then informed us that a meeting between Japanese and North Korean diplomatic authorities will be held in Shenyang on the 29th. The Foreign Minister then shared this information with reporters.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Does that mean that the consultations will provide an opportunity to ask North Korea questions, like why the report is late and what investigations are currently taking place?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes. The consultations were proposed by Japan. As North Korea notified us that it was conducting the investigations in good faith, Japan needs to ascertain what sort of investigations North Korea is conducting and specifically under what sort of arrangements. So, the consultations will be held on the 29th as a result of negotiating through the embassy channel in Beijing.

REPORTER: So, regarding this matter, I take it that North Korea agreed to Japan’s request to quickly provide an explanation of the current status of the investigations. How do you assess North Korea’s response? Also, what are your expectations for the progress of the forthcoming negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In a sense, I think it is expected that North Korea would respond in this way. After all, North Korea did say it would conduct investigations. Japan has consistently stated that North Korea should swiftly conduct full-scale investigations of all Japanese nationals, including victims of abduction, and promptly report the results. The resolution of the abduction issue is a priority of the Abe administration. Therefore, we have been continuing to steadily make these assertions.

REPORTER: I understand you will be asking North Korea about the arrangements of the investigations and about North Korea’s approach to investigation. However, is Japan not going to ask anything about what North Korea calls “early-stage results,” such as what sorts of results have been yielded at the current early stage? It seems like this is something you could ask.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: North Korea informed us that it launched the Special Investigation Committee and that it was conducting the investigations in good faith. Therefore, Japanese Government authorities will of course be thoroughly questioning exactly what sort of investigations are taking place, what the status of the investigations is, and other such matters.

REPORTER: To confirm then, Japan will also be asking about the early-stage results?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, Japan will of course ask about the content of the ongoing investigations, what sort of arrangements are in place for the investigations, what sort of investigations are taking place, and what their current status is.

REPORTER: A related question. If the Japanese Government deems that the investigations are not being conducted in good faith, based on the explanation it receives, are you considering re-imposing the sanctions that you lifted or taking other such measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Not before we hear what they have to say. As North Korea stated that it launched the Special Investigation Committee and was conducting the investigations in good faith, the Japanese Government will thoroughly question what specific arrangements are in place for the investigations, what is being investigated, what sort of investigations are taking place, and what their current status is.

REPORTER: My question also concerns this topic. I imagine that the Japanese people also have a sense of distrust towards North Korea’s acts in connection with this matter. Say North Korea explains that, for example, it was conducting the investigations in good faith. Will you be feeding back this information to the people? Is that a possibility? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Government’s delegation has yet to attend the consultations and receive an explanation from North Korea. Therefore, I believe I should not make any speculative statements here.

REPORTER: Yesterday, a meeting of the Japan-China high-level consultation on maritime affairs was held. Can you once again explain what the need for the Japan-China maritime communication mechanism is? Also, what will Japan and China discuss going forward? I understand that the content has already been agreed upon at the working-level. Will the next discussion concern the timing for resuming consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: From September 23 to 24, a meeting of the Japan-China high-level consultation on maritime affairs was held in Qingdao City, Shandong Province in China. Relevant organizations related to maritime affairs of both countries discussed issues that the countries are commonly interested in. This meeting was held for the first time in approximately two years since the first meeting in May 2012. Both sides reached a shared view in principle to resume consultations for an early implementation of a maritime communication mechanism between the defense authorities of the two countries. We deem that the meeting was very meaningful from the viewpoints of enhancement of mutual understanding, strengthening of cooperation, and crisis management including communication of the relevant organizations related to maritime affairs of both countries.

REPORTER: I have a question that concerns this. Do you perceive that such developments will, for example, spur momentum towards realizing a Japan-China summit meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in November?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Certainly various challenges exist between Japan and China. Nonetheless, as China is the second-largest economy in the world and Japan is the third, and as both countries have a responsibility to maintain peace and prosperity in the world, it would be very meaningful for the leaders of both countries to meet and exchange views.

REPORTER: A related question. It seems that we are beginning to see more active exchanges between the two countries at all levels, including the resumption of consultations for the mechanism, visits to China by the Japanese business community, and meetings with senior officials. Do you feel that a more accommodating environment is being cultivated to realize a Japan-China summit meeting? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We understand that business groups led by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) visited China and held a press conference with Vice Premier Wang Yang, and that the two sides concurred on the importance of Japan-China relations and the need to strengthen Japan-China exchanges that include Keidanren. On the occasion of Prime Minister Abe’s visit to China in October 2006, the leaders of both countries agreed to establish the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue. It was agreed that the Dialogue would serve as a forum for holding routine discussions from a broad perspective between their economic ministers, regarding the resolution of issues and promoting cooperation in the economic field, all from the perspective of advancing a mutually-beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. The Japanese Government hopes that the next meeting will be held at an early date, and will make steady efforts to hold the meeting as early as possible, bearing in mind also the remarks made by Vice Premier Wang Yang. Right now, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is implementing measures to prevent corruption as well as economic reforms. As a result, transparency is beginning to increase considerably. Increased transparency is critically important as well for the Japanese business community members who visited China this time, in terms of expanding their businesses and making capital investments in China. Therefore, the Japanese Government will be closely following such developments.         

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Japan-U.S. ministerial-level talks in Washington, D.C. have concluded. Can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Minister-in-charge Amari stated during his press conference that he and U.S. Trade Representative Froman held a candid exchange of views regarding the remaining issues between Japan and the United States. These concerned agricultural products and automobiles, that both sides needed to make concessions to conclude the negotiations, and that details regarding how the two sides will proceed were undecided. I believe there is nothing more than that.

REPORTER: If you say there is nothing more than that, then there is nothing more than that, as always. But if I might ask, does that mean that the outcome of the talks was regrettable?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It goes to show that that is how intense these negotiations are. The respective sides are engaging in negotiations as firmly as possible, while raising their national interests.