Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Japan-Russia relations
• The start of the extraordinary Diet session

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Japan-Russia relations. It has been reported that Russia turned down Japan’s suggestion of holding a Japan-Russia foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not really know who reported this, but there is no truth to such reports. The ministers’ respective schedules simply did not permit it.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Do you think it will be feasible to hold a Japan-Russia foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If the ministers’ respective schedules coincide, then I am sure the ministers will meet and hold talks. If their schedules do not coincide, then they will not meet. That is all there is to the matter.

REPORTER: The extraordinary Diet session starts next week. Will the Government be submitting a bill for increasing the number of ministerial posts in order to create the post of minister in charge of the Olympic Games?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware that there are various opinions on this. Against such a backdrop, the Government is in the process of studying this possibility.

REPORTER: The Government is considering increasing the number of posts during the next Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that is one of the things we are considering.

(Abridged)