Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The trans Pacific Partnership negotiations
• The indictment of former Seoul bureau chief of Sankei Shimbun newpaper
• The Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets
• The demonstrations of pro-democracy campaigner
• The Japan-China relations
• The issue concerning abduction

REPORTER: During this morning’s press conference, you said that you had not yet been briefed regarding the telephone talks between Prime Minister Abe and President Obama. Since then, have you been briefed about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations or any other matters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: During the telephone talks, the two leaders affirmed that they would aim to achieve an early conclusion of the TPP negotiations. Prime Minister Abe and President Obama shared their views regarding the current status of the negotiations. The two leaders also concurred that they would continue to work together towards the early conclusion of the TPP negotiations. That is my understanding.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The leaders of the TPP negotiating partners will be meeting on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Beijing in November. By then, the U.S. midterm election will have finished. What are the chances that the TPP negotiations will be concluded during the APEC meeting in November?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have no knowledge of that. All I know is that, as I stated moments ago, Prime Minister Abe and President Obama affirmed that they would aim to achieve an early conclusion of the TPP negotiations and that they would continue to work together towards the early conclusion of the TPP negotiations.

REPORTER: I have one last question on this matter. You said that the two leaders affirmed that they would work together towards an early conclusion. I believe among the TPP negotiating partners, “the end of 2014” is one of the target deadlines that has been proposed. By when does the Japanese Government aim to conclude the negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is no precise deadline. However, we perceive that the earlier the negotiations are concluded, the better.

REPORTER: I have a question in relation to the telephone talks. I understand that the Prime Minister pledged to accelerate a range of assistance in response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak. Did the Prime Minister offer specific forms of assistance, such as the provision of pharmaceuticals that are effective for the treatment of the Ebola virus disease, or protective gear? Can you please elaborate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, Prime Minister Abe explained the assistance Japan has extended in response to the outbreak to date. He explained Japan’s intentions to extend seamless assistance that is visible to the local people and also our intentions to accelerate a range of assistance. President Obama thanked the Prime Minister for Japan’s assistance. The two leaders agreed that Japan and the United States would continue to work together closely for the response effort.

REPORTER: I have a related question. During the telephone talks, I understand that the two leaders also discussed the situation in East Asia. What was discussed exactly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was informed that Prime Minister Abe briefly explained the situation in the East Asian region.

REPORTER: Specifically, did Japan’s relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China or the Japan-North Korea consultations come up in the discussion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I was not briefed about the details.

REPORTER: My question is about the indictment without arrest of our former Seoul bureau chief. The ROK prosecution authorities requested a three-month extension of the travel ban on the former bureau chief. This is an unprecedented situation. Can you please comment on the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I also stated recently, there should be maximum respect for the freedom of the press, and in this regard, the indictment without arrest is far removed from the common conduct of the international community. I would say that it is unbecoming of a democratic nation to act in this manner. In particular, the former Seoul bureau chief’s right to move freely has been restricted since early August due to a travel ban already imposed on him for as long as two months. An extension of the travel ban by another three months is a major humanitarian issue in our view. Japan will continue to communicate our concerns to the ROK and strongly urge the ROK to take appropriate responses.  

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding a different matter. In this morning’s news, it was reported that the Russian Government proposed to Japan the construction of a natural gas pipeline connecting Sakhalin and Hokkaido. Is this true? What will be the response of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, there is absolutely no truth to the newspaper reports you mentioned. At any rate, diversifying our fuel supply sources and reducing our fuel procurement costs are important components of Japan’s energy policy. Therefore, it follows that Japan will explore energy cooperation with Russia based on the principle of mutual benefit. There is, however, absolutely no truth to the newspaper reports.

REPORTER: My question regards the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets. To follow up on yesterday’s question, I would like to once again ask what kind of person would be appropriate for the position of Independent Public Records Management Secretary. Also, I was wondering if independence would be maintained if a bureaucrat were appointed to this position. Can you please answer these two questions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, it goes without saying that the Independent Public Records Management Secretary is a critically important position. Therefore, it naturally follows that someone with a strong sense of justice who steadily carries out his/her work will be selected. Furthermore, the Guidelines set forth a number of items, including requesting materials from the heads of administrative organs, on-site investigations, and request for correction. In that respect, I believe that as the necessary authority will be granted to the Independent Public Records Management Secretary for conducting adequate checks of the designation of specially designated secrets, and other related matters, this will allow the Secretary to carry out the necessary work, including verification and oversight work, in a logistical manner.

REPORTER: To confirm, does that mean there would be no problem if a bureaucrat were appointed as Secretary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, as authority is granted to the Secretary in the manner I noted, I do not foresee any problems.    

REPORTER: Today, in the early hours, the Hong Kong police launched a crackdown in response to the demonstrations of pro-democracy campaigners over the election of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. As a result, 45 people were arrested. This is expected to trigger further backlash from demonstrators. What is the reaction of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated a number of times, Hong Kong has developed democratically in the context of its free and open system under the “one country, two systems” structure. Hong Kong is a major financial center in Asia, and Japan and Hong Kong have maintained extremely close relations to date. The Government will continue to closely follow the situation in Hong Kong to ensure its stability and prosperity. The Government strongly hopes that the current situation will be settled in a peaceful manner.   

REPORTER: If I may, I would like to confirm something with you regarding the telephone talks mentioned earlier. Is it correct to understand that today, the two leaders did not really delve into the details of the Ebola response effort?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the two leaders agreed that the Ebola virus disease outbreak is a pressing issue that has implications on world peace and stability, and that the international community needs to make united efforts. The Prime Minister explained that Japan would continue to extend as much assistance as possible. The two leaders pledged that their respective countries would contribute to the eradication of the Ebola virus disease through the provision of assistance. We will now make the specific arrangements.

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject and ask about an address that Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of China to Japan, delivered in Tokyo. In his address, the Ambassador praised Prime Minister Abe’s policy speech to the extraordinary Diet session, which noted Japan’s commitment to building stable friendly relations between Japan and China. The Ambassador’s remarks can be interpreted as a sign of improvement of Japan-China relations. What is the view of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If that is what the Ambassador said, then we sincerely welcome his remarks. Indeed, China and Japan are the second and third largest economies in the world, and have significant influence on world peace and prosperity. For this reason, it is extremely meaningful for the leaders of the two countries to meet and hold talks, despite the existence of a variety of issues between us. Japan has maintained the stance that our door for dialogue is always open. We will not be changing our stance.   

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the abduction issue. Today marks exactly 12 years since five abductees returned to Japan during the Koizumi administration. Meanwhile, the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea has expressed concerns over the way the Japan-North Korea consultations have proceeded recently, saying that Japan is being forced to go along with North Korea’s pace. Can you please explain once again the Government’s motivation for holding the Japan-North Korea consultations and how the Government intends to move the consultations forward?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Abe administration as a whole is working to fully resolve the abduction issue. We were able to wedge open a door that had been firmly closed for many years, and now we are coming to the critical stage of the negotiations. If the door for dialogue were to shut again, then we would lose all the progress we have made. As such, we will address this matter in a firm and appropriate manner.