Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The indictment of former Seoul bureau chief of Sankei Shimbun newspaper
• The issue regarding Japan- North Korea relation
• The Japan-Russia summit meeting at the occasion of ASEM
• The interim report on the revision of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation

REPORTER: Yesterday, our former Seoul bureau chief was indicted without detention. He was indicted for an article that allegedly defamed the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Government of Japan had requested that the ROK handle this matter with care. Can you please comment on the indictment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government has repeatedly expressed concern about this matter to the ROK and has urged the ROK to handle this matter with care from the viewpoints of freedom of the press and Japan-ROK relations. In connection with this matter, I am aware that the domestic and foreign media and other organizations concerned have raised concerns about the violation of freedom of the press. It is deeply regrettable from the viewpoints of freedom of the press and Japan-ROK relations that Sankei Shimbun’s former Seoul bureau chief was indicted in the ROK in a way that neglected the statements and campaigns of the media, and others. Law enforcement agencies, especially in democratic nations, must restrain themselves from interfering with the media, in view of giving maximum respect to freedom of the press. This is the common conduct of the international community, and the indictment is far removed from this common conduct. The Government will confirm the details with the ROK and fully communicate Japan’s concerns to the ROK by the end of today.  

REPORTER: While it is not clear, it is alleged that the indictment was a reflection of the wishes of the Office of the President, given that the President is identified as a victim of defamation in this case. What is your view on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, the Government has repeatedly expressed strong concerns to the ROK in view of freedom of the press and Japan-ROK relations. With regard to the ROK’s decision, which is far removed from the common conduct of the international community, Japan will confirm the facts with the ROK, and at the same time, communicate our strong concerns to the ROK.

REPORTER: The Japanese Government has been maintaining that Japan and the ROK share fundamental values and interests. Given the current situation, can you still say that the two countries share a common sense of values?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, as the ROK’s decision is far removed from the common conduct of the international community, that is, respecting the freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which are the principles of a democratic nation, the Government will first confirm the details with the ROK and communicate our concerns to the ROK.

REPORTER: How will you be doing this? Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be summoning the ROK Ambassador to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Although today is a sort of public holiday in the ROK, the Government would like to communicate its strong concerns to the ROK by the end of today.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You said that the Government would confirm the facts and communicate its concerns to the ROK. Will the Government not be lodging a protest?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, we would like to fully confirm the circumstances that led to this decision.

REPORTER: My question is related to this. I believe the Japanese Government has been striving to improve its relations with the ROK. What kind of impact will this matter have on Japan-ROK relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I said, the Government has repeatedly expressed its concern, including from the viewpoint of Japan-ROK relations. In light of the impact on Japan-ROK relations and in response to the ROK’s decision, which, as an act by a democratic nation, is far removed from the common conduct of the international community, the Government would like to fully confirm the facts and formally express its concerns to the ROK.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning this matter. Japan has said that its door for dialogue is open and appealed to the ROK about holding a summit meeting. Will the indictment have any impact in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The position of Japan is that its door for dialogue is always open and that the two leaders should meet because challenges exist between our two countries. This remains unchanged.

REPORTER: Related to this, a Japan-ROK finance ministers’ meeting will be held in Washington, DC in the United States on the 10th of this month, local time. Can you please tell us whether the case at hand will have any impact on this meeting, including whether or not the meeting will be held as scheduled?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: To be honest I do not yet know what the situation will be as the indictment happened yesterday. In my opinion, the ministers should meet precisely because challenges exist between our two countries.

REPORTER: Changing the subject, this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Minister Yamatani went to see you. I understand that the three of you discussed Japan-North Korea issues. Can you please elaborate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The three ministers presiding over Japan-North Korea matters held a meeting to exchange views. During the meeting, the three ministers agreed that the Japanese Government would continue to strongly urge North Korea to swiftly conduct investigations on all Japanese nationals and report the results promptly, based on the recognition that the abduction issue is one of the utmost priorities of the Japanese Government, as would be expected. As for the way forward, the Government as a whole will review our course of action while fully exchanging views with the parties concerned, including the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea.  

REPORTER: I have a related question. Regarding the outstanding issue of the dispatch of a investigation mission to North Korea, can you please give us the outlook? For example, around when will you make a decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: So the three ministers shared the view that the Government would decide on such matters upon carefully listening to the views of the various organizations concerned, including the family members of the abductees. 

REPORTER: I have one more question. Minister Yamatani and others have said that they would also like to hear the opinions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Does this mean that following this process of listening to opinions, another meeting like this one will be held for making the final decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes. The three ministers shared the view that the Government will determine its course of action upon listening to the opinions of the relevant parties, which of course include the Headquarters for North Korean Abductions of the LDP and the Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for Measures against Abduction Issue that cuts across party lines.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are rumors that a Japan-Russia summit meeting will be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Italy next week. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I imagine that Prime Minister Abe and President Putin may converse with each other in one way or another if both were to attend the ASEM Summit. However, as was agreed upon during their recent telephone talks, both sides will make arrangements to hold a Japan-Russia summit meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Beijing in November, provided that both leaders attend the meeting.   

REPORTER: Yesterday, an interim report on the revision of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation was compiled. Based on the interim report, around when do you expect to develop domestic security legislation and when do you plan to explain it to the people? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the two countries agreed to revise the Guidelines at the “2+2” (Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee meeting) in October 2013. I expect that the revision process will proceed in accordance with the framework and objectives set forth in the interim report.   

REPORTER: Is the process to develop domestic legislation making steady progress? Some have noted that there are slight delays.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, based on the basic policies laid out in the recent Cabinet decision on the development of security legislation, the Government will draft legislation that enables seamless responses to any situations in order to secure the lives and peaceful livelihood of the Japanese people, which will include everything from “gray-zone” situations to situations involving the right of collective self-defense. We will henceforth work on the revision of the Guidelines and legislation development in an integrated manner.