Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 14 general and other measures, draft bills, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Arimura and I made statements concerning the handling of the revision of the remuneration of public servants. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits, among other matters.

During the second Ministerial Meeting Relating to Remuneration of National Public Servants and the Cabinet meeting that followed, it was decided that this fiscal year’s remuneration of national public servants would be revised according to the National Personnel Authority (NPA) Recommendation. You have my statement regarding this matter in front of you. The statement explains that after reviewing this matter from all angles of governmental affairs based on our fundamental stance of respecting the NPA Recommendation system, a decision was made to implement revisions as was advised in this year’s NPA Recommendation. In my statement, I also expressed my hope that public servants re-affirm within themselves that they are servants of the whole community, and carry out their official duties appropriately and efficiently. Items approved at today’s Cabinet meeting also included a bill to revise the Act on Remuneration of Officials in the Regular Service. This bill sets out that remuneration would be revised according to the NPA Recommendation.

Q&As

• The issue of the Kono Statement
• The attempt to travel to Syria to join the ISIL by Japanese University student
• The visit to Japan of the President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
• The meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy

REPORTER: Yesterday, Mr. Hagiuda, Special Advisor to the President of the Liberal Democratic Party, said on a BS TV program that “[The Kono Statement’s] role is over. Although it will not be revised, the release of a new statement will effectively emasculate [the Kono Statement].” Does the Government share Mr. Hagiuda’s recognition that the Kono Statement’s role is over? Next year, the Prime Minister is expected to release a new statement on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. What are your thoughts regarding the possibility of the new statement nullifying the Kono Statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe he was expressing his personal opinion. As both the Prime Minister and I have stated repeatedly, the Government will uphold the Kono Statement and has no intention of revising it. The government position has not changed at all.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Although you have emphasized over and over that the Government has no intention of revising the Kono Statement, a close aide of the Prime Minister has continued to state the exact opposite. It seems to me that this would cause the international community, including the Republic of Korea (ROK), to have a heightened sense of distrust towards Japan. What are your views on such aspects? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not foresee any impact in this regard. The party does not share Mr. Hagiuda’s opinion. I think each person is entitled to his or her own opinion.

REPORTER: My impression is that the Government’s policy of not revising the statement is still not fully understood by the ROK. How will you be explaining the Government’s policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have already explained this numerous times.

REPORTER: A related question. Mr. Hagiuda noted that the Prime Minister’s new statement, which will be released next year, would overwrite or emasculate the spirit of the Kono Statement. Is it possible that the statement to be released next year will be a complete antithesis to the spirit of the Kono Statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As next year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, we would like to release a future-oriented statement. I have said this continuously since the launch of the Abe government. In any case, the content of the statement will be decided through meetings among distinguished experts. In any event, Japan has built up a peaceful, free, and stable country over a 70-year period following the end of WWII, and in this context, a future-oriented statement will be released. This is something I have continued to state for a long time.

REPORTER: The police have searched parties associated with a university student who attempted to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as militants. This is the first time information has come to light about Japanese nationals trying to join ISIL as militants. Can you please share your comments with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware that the police authorities conducted searches in accordance with the Penal Code. However, as the search is ongoing, I would like to refrain from responding to questions about the details of this case. As a member of the international community, Japan is committed to taking proactive steps to prevent terrorism, taking into account United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2178 on dealing with the issue of foreign terrorist militants that was adopted on September 24.

REPORTER: I have a related question. As you just stated, in this case, associated parties were searched based on existing law. The university student is being questioned on a voluntary basis. But then there is also the UN resolution. What is your view regarding the necessity of developing new legislation? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not see any need. I understand that searches are now being conducted based on existing law.

REPORTER: I understand that Mr. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, is in Japan and will be staying in Tokyo and elsewhere until around the middle of this month. Are any meetings scheduled with ministers or other officials of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, Mr. Li Xiaolin is visiting Japan as a private citizen and as a head of an organization, and the Government is not aware of his itinerary during his stay in Japan. Generally speaking, Japan-China exchanges at the private sector level are desirable. We hope that such exchanges and dialogues will lead to improved Japan-China relations. Our position has not changed at all.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the summary of the minutes of the meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy that the Cabinet Office released recently. According to the summary, you said, “Export levels have hardly changed, despite the fact that the yen has weakened this much. This is a major problem.” What exactly is your understanding by “major problem”?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We had previously forecasted that if the yen weakens, then exports would increase. However, export levels have not increased as was thought and remained flat. As the Governor of the Bank of Japan was attending the Council meeting, I asked the Governor for his opinion.

REPORTER: Regarding this issue of sluggish export growth, some analysts note that the effects of the weak yen are not felt due to the advancement of the hollowing out of industries in Japan. What is your view on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is one observation that has been put forwards. After the yen weakened, Japanese companies completely stopped going overseas. Also, companies that have opened plants overseas are seeing if they can return and produce in Japan. I think for a while companies are seeing how the situation will unfold.

REPORTER: I have a related question. For a while, companies are seeing how the situation will unfold. However, in the meantime, the time will arrive to make the decision regarding the consumption tax increase. This could be like “throwing cold water” on these companies. Do you have any comments on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, it has only been one year and ten months since the Abe administration was inaugurated. It takes time for companies to make their respective decisions. It also takes time for companies to ready themselves for exports and make products at their existing plants. These are some of the comments that business leaders have voiced. I gather that it is natural in a sense that companies wait to see how the situation unfolds for a little while longer. In any case, with regard to the decision on the consumption tax, the Prime Minister will make a decision at the end of the year based on a comprehensive assessment of various economic trends, including the market situation and economic momentum during the July-September quarter.