Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 14 general and other measures, a cabinet order and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Prime Minister Abe made a statement about acting ministers while ministers in charge are away on overseas visits.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Arimura and Prime Minister Abe each made statements concerning the facilitation of the active role of female national public servants and work-life balance.

Today, following deliberation and a decision by the National Security Council, the Cabinet approved changes to the implementation plan for the International Peace Cooperation Program in South Sudan and other matters. Accordingly, the dispatch period of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) engineering unit and other personnel from the SDF program to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) has been extended by four months. In addition, an SDF personnel member has been newly dispatched to UNMISS as an officer. The peace and stability of South Sudan is a significant challenge for the international community. The Government of Japan, as a responsible member of the international community, believes that it is very meaningful to cooperate with other countries in providing the necessary support to South Sudan.

With regard to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West African countries, it is necessary for the international community to make concerted efforts and take even greater measures than those to date. The Government of Japan is steadily implementing the assistance announced by Prime Minister Abe at the General Assembly of the United Nations, and on October 20 two Japanese experts were dispatched to Sierra Leone to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) mission in that country. In addition, the Government will also be providing indirect support so that the benefits and safety of potential treatment drugs developed by Japanese companies can be confirmed in good time. Furthermore, from the perspective of strengthening cooperation with the United States, today five Ministry of Defense officials embarked on an official business trip to the headquarters of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany, which is functioning as a coordination center for assistance measures by United States Forces in response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak. One of these five officials will remain at AFRICOM as a liaison officer.

Q&As

• The issue regarding Ebola virus disease

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question with regard to the dispatch of Ministry of Defense officials in relation to the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak. Is the Government considering the dispatch of SDF personnel to infected regions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The situation at this point in time is as I have just described it.