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 13 general and other measures, as well as draft legislation, cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, I made a statement concerning the holding of the Ministerial Meeting on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease. Minister Yamatani made a statement concerning earthquake and tsunami disaster prevention training to be held on November 5.

Next, I would like to give an overview of the Ministerial Meeting on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease. Infections of the Ebola virus disease are increasing in West Africa and cases considered to be secondary infections from people returning from West Africa have also been seen in Spain and the United States, although limited in scale. The Government has responded to the situation to date through concerted cross-governmental efforts, and there is a need to construct a detailed response structure in order to protect the lives and health of the people of Japan. To this end, the Government held the Ministerial Meeting on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease today to address the situation related to Ebola virus disease in a concerted manner, through close cooperation among ministries and agencies concerned. At the opening of the meeting the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare reported the negative test results of a suspected case of Ebola that was announced yesterday. The Prime Minister also made a statement, instructing ministers concerned to continue to work closely with the relevant organizations and take every step possible to ensure quarantining is thorough and that rapid initial examinations are implemented. The Prime Minister also instructed ministers concerned to provide information to citizens promptly and accurately, thus ensuring their peace of mind and security. In addition, I would like to report that in order to run this ministerial meeting and promote cross-governmental measures we have established an Office on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease within the Cabinet Secretariat. We have also established an information liaison office within the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Office in order to enhance structures for the collection of relevant information.

Q&As

• The issue of Ebola virus disease
• The issue of the abductions
• The Japanese washi paper to be recorded on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage

REPORTER: From last night to this morning a series of tests and examinations were implemented concerning the suspected case of Ebola. How do you evaluate the series of measures that were implemented?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government had already decided upon measures for responding to a situation in which cases of fever were discovered upon immigration to Japan. Based on these measures, we steadily carried out tests and examinations. The tests were reported to be negative. However, as there is a latent incubation period of approximately three days, the person in question is being kept under observation in hospital as a means of taking every precaution possible.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The ministerial meeting this morning was held following the implementation of the procedures yesterday. Was there any announcement in the meeting about strengthening the present structure or about introducing new measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I just noted, today the Government formally established the Office on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease. To date, the Cabinet has been handling measures relating to Ebola. Yesterday, a number of different agencies worked together to provide a comprehensive response. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare made the primary response, and the various related ministries and agencies carried out the transportation of the patient and other measures. Following this, we have successfully established the aforementioned office today.

REPORTER: I have a further related question. In addition to this recent suspected case in Japan, there have been other cases of infections in countries such as the United States, and the concern is naturally spreading among the public. What are the Government’s plans concerning the provision of information about this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Given that the provision of unconfirmed information would serve only to generate further concerns, I believe it is important to convey only objective facts to the public.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Consultations will be taking place today and tomorrow in Pyongyang concerning the reinvestigation of the abduction issue. I would like to ask once more about the Government’s stance as it goes into these consultations. I would also like to know whether it has been confirmed that the delegation will be able to meet the chair of the Special Investigation Committee, Mr. So Tae Ha.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have received a report that from approximately 9:30 am today, the consultations with members of the Special Investigation Committee began, including chair of the Special Investigation Committee, Mr. So Tae Ha. That is the format in which they began at 9:30 am and I cannot provide any answers at the current point about the content of the consultations. In any event, as the consultations are being attended by persons responsible on the North Korean side, including the chair of the Special Investigation Committee, the delegation from Japan will be stressing strongly to the North Korean side that the abduction issue is of top priority for Japan. In addition, with regard to the current status of the investigation, the delegation will also be demanding that the investigation proceed expeditiously in a manner that produces as much detail as possible and that all matters are responded to in a sincere manner. That is the stance the Japanese side has taken as the consultations commenced.

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to demand that the North Korean side provide responses within specific deadline?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the time of the initial intergovernmental consultations no specific deadline was set for the investigations. However, I stated in the forum of this press conference that it would not do for the process to become prolonged and that a period of approximately one year was envisaged. The Ambassador representing North Korea at the intergovernmental consultations also mentioned the period of a year, so it is my view that a period of one year will represent a milestone in the process.

REPORTER: Within the period of that one year does the Government intend to specify a deadline for a preliminary report on the investigations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The initial pledge made by the North Korean side was for a preliminary report to be provided around the end of summer or early autumn. Given that the chair of the Special Investigation Committee is attending the consultations on this occasion, the Japanese delegation will be stressing that the issue is top priority for Japan and strongly demanding an explanation concerning the details of the investigation. We do not consider these consultations as constituting the preliminary report.

REPORTER: There are some press reports that Japan will be requesting a preliminary report by the end of the year. What are the facts behind such reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The initial undertaking was for the North Korean side to provide a preliminary report around the end of summer or early autumn. As such I would think it natural for the Japanese side to demand a report at the earliest possible juncture.

REPORTER: If that is the case, does the Government consider the year end to be one such juncture?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Setting aside whether it comes at the end of the year or not, the fact is that the initial pledge was for North Korea to provide a report at the end of summer or early autumn. The North Korean side should be well aware by now that the abduction issue is top priority for Japan and therefore the delegation will be pressing the chair of the Special Investigation Committee for a response.

REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic. A United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) panel has announced that it has recommended for Japanese washi paper to be recorded on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Can I ask for your thoughts concerning this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A recommendation made yesterday by a UNESCO panel regarding the list of intangible cultural heritage was announced today. The panel reported that in addition to Sekishu-Banshi paper, which is already listed as intangible cultural heritage, other types of handmade Japanese washi paper, namely Honmino-shi and Hosokawa-shi, are to be recommended for inclusion on an expanded list, based on a proposal made by Japan. Deliberations based on this recommendation will take place at the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is due to begin on November 24. I have received a report that the committee is expected to formally decide on the inclusion of these washi papermaking techniques. If the inclusion as intangible cultural heritage is achieved it is expected that it will refocus attention on the cultural value of washi paper and lead also to the further vitalization of local areas. The Government therefore intends to make every effort to ensure that listing can be achieved at the intergovernmental committee meeting in November.