Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The intention to establish a special committee to study the Government response to the comfort women issue
• The public demonstrations taking place in Hong Kong

REPORTER: In this morning’s question and answer session in the Budget Committee, Chairperson Inada of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) indicated her intention to establish a special committee to study the Government’s response to the comfort women issue. Former Policy Research Council Chairperson Takaichi lodged a request with the Prime Minister’s office in August, seeking Government consideration of a new statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on this issue. You denied this request at the time, so can I ask for your thoughts on the establishment of a special committee to study the Government’s response to this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Chairperson Inada has stated that in light of the false testimony provided by Mr. Seiji Yoshida, the LDP seeks to establish a forum in which to examine the impact this testimony has had on Japan’s diplomacy and on the international community, as well as to study the response made by the Government to date. The forum will also engage in earnest considerations about the current situation and specific measures aimed at restoring Japan’s credit. That is the proposal and if the party engages in such an examination, then the Government naturally seeks to offer any cooperation that it is possible to provide.

REPORTER: I have a related question. During the interpellation session of the plenary session of the House of Representatives on October 1, the Prime Minister responded to a question from Chairperson Hiranuma of The Party for Future Generations, in which he stated that the Abe cabinet is not “currently” considering the revision of the Kono Statement, nor is it “currently” considering the issuance of a new statement. I may be reading too much into the Prime Minister’s use of the word “currently,” but would this suggest that such a revision or reissuance could be possible in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that you are indeed reading too much into a single word. As I have stated today, the Abe administration is not considering the revision of the Kono Statement and there is no change in the Government’s stance of succeeding to the Kono Statement.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: This is a topic that came up in this morning’s press conference, but I have a further question concerning the public demonstrations taking place in Hong Kong. The administration of President Obama of the United States has expressed its support for the wishes of the people for normal elections in Hong Kong. However, the Government of Japan has not used any language that would suggest a stance that supports the demonstrations. Is this intentional on the part of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is not the case. Rather it is the case that Japan and Hong Kong are extremely close geographically, being only a few hours apart, and also share a deep economic relationship. It is for these reasons that the future of Hong Kong is extremely important for the future of Japan. The prosperity and stability of Hong Kong play an important role not only for the prosperity and development of China, but for the Asian region as a whole. I believe that it is important for a free and open structure to be maintained under the existing one-country, two systems arrangement.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Is the Government refraining from using language in support of the demonstrations out of consideration for China, given the efforts that are being made to hold a Japan-China summit meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is not the case at all. I just spoke about reading too much into things and I think this is another example of the same.

REPORTER: I have a related question. To put it another way, is it the case that any expression of support could be perceived as intervention in Chinese domestic affairs?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case I would like to refrain from making any further comment on behalf of the Government in a matter that concerns interactions between two other countries, the United States and China.

REPORTER: On a related note, and setting the United States aside for one moment, it is generally the case that Japan does not make any direct comments with regard to human rights issues in China. Although the United States may be criticized for intervening in the domestic affairs of China, it tends to emphasize strongly what it considers to be universal values. Japan on the other hand remains silent about human rights issues. What are your views on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I don’t think your comments are valid in the current context. Japan is currently monitoring trends in the situation to assess how they will develop. Whatever the case, the best option is for issues relating to Hong Kong to be resolved by democratic means by Hong Kong itself.

REPORTER: I have a further question. I believe that the fundamental values that the demonstrators are calling for, namely normal elections and democratization, are values that Japan itself possesses. What are your views on the things that the demonstrators in Hong Kong are calling for?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Freedom and democracy are things that have existed in Hong Kong until now. As Hong Kong continues to develop I believe it is only natural for the Government to continue to watch the development of the current situation.

(Abridged)