Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have an announcement regarding Japan’s response to North Korea’s proposal in connection with the investigations of the Special Investigation Committee of North Korea. Based on the explanation provided by North Korea during the meeting between Japanese and North Korean diplomatic authorities at the end of last month, the Government as a whole reviewed its options comprehensively, while at the same time hearing the views of the families of the abductees and members of each political party. This afternoon, the Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for Measures against Abduction Issue held a meeting. A variety of opinions were heard during the meeting. Following the meeting, it was decided through discussions between the Prime Minister and relevant ministers that the Government will dispatch government officials to Pyongyang to receive firsthand explanations from the Special Investigation Committee regarding the current status of the investigations. As I speak, the family members of the abductees are receiving an explanation about our decision from Government officials. To move the investigations forward, the Government determined that there is significance to talking directly with a responsible official of the Special Investigation Committee in order to underscore the point that the abduction issue is a top priority for Japan, and on this basis, ask questions and find out as much information as possible about the current status of the investigations. The abduction issue is a top priority of the Abe government. The Government remains fully committed to realizing the return to Japan of all abductees while listening carefully to the opinions of the parties concerned, including the families of abductees.

Q&As

• The issue concerning the abduction

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the abduction issue. The Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea and others have been asking the Government to be cautious in responding to North Korea’s proposal to dispatch Japanese officials to North Korea. Can you please explain the reasons which led to your conclusion to dispatch a Japanese delegation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, in order to underscore the point that the abduction issue is an utmost priority for Japan, and on this basis, to inquire about the problems and the current status of the investigations, we determined that it was critically important to directly meet with a responsible official of the Special Investigation Committee. That is why we decided to dispatch a delegation.

REPORTER: Who will make up the members of the Japanese delegation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle, it will be the same members as the delegation for the previous Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations.

REPORTER: What are the levels of the North Korean officials from whom the Japanese delegation will be receiving an explanation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is now being arranged through the embassy channel in Beijing. The Japanese side will of course explain to a responsible official that the abduction issue is Japan’s top priority. So of course, a meeting with the responsible person is now being arranged.

REPORTER: I have a related question. When and for how long will the delegation be dispatched?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As of now, this has not been decided. However, I believe the delegation will be dispatched in the not so distant future.

REPORTER: In principle, will the dispatch take place by the end of this month?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These matters are now being arranged.

REPORTER: I have a related question. When the delegation visits North Korea, will it ask North Korea to provide information such as the whereabouts of the abductees? Or will it be briefed only on the current situation of the investigations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, our top priority is of course to directly talk with and make Japan’s position clear to a responsible person from the North Korean Special Investigation Committee. The delegation will explain that the abduction issue is Japan’s top priority and fully inquire about the current status of the investigations on Japanese nationals.

REPORTER: There is much speculation in various media outlets about who this responsible person of the Special Investigation Committee you are referring to could be. According to the rumors, the responsible person is the Chair of the Special Investigation Committee. Is So Tae-ha the person you have in mind?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is significance to directly communicating Japan’s basic views to a responsible person. As such, arrangements are now being made to this end.

REPORTER: Will the Japanese Government find it acceptable if the counterpart was someone other than So Tae-ha, the so-called responsible person of the Special Investigation Committee?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the arrangements are currently being made, I do not know the answer. The bottom line is that for the resolving issues, especially the abduction issue, the Government determined that it was critically important to fully explain and communicate Japan’s true intentions to a responsible person.

(Abridged)