Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue of coral poaching by Chinese vessels
• The issue of comfort women
• The issue regarding the burden of bases in Okinawa

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In this morning’s press conference, you stated that the Government of China had issued instructions to Chinese coral poaching vessels to return to port, and a further drop in the number of foreign vessels had been confirmed.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Could you repeat the question?

REPORTER: I was asking about the number of foreign vessels in the waters off the Ogasawara Islands.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What was the first part of your question?

REPORTER: I was asking about the instructions issued by the Government of China for the coral poaching vessels to return to port, which I believe you mentioned this morning.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have made no such comments.

REPORTER: The Government of China has strongly demanded that the vessels return to their home ports.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the Government of Japan that has been making such demands.

REPORTER: So it is not the Government of China that has issued such instructions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the press reports that suggest the Government of China has issued such instructions, however, what I stated was that this has not been officially confirmed.

REPORTER: In an internal meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Vice-President Komura has mentioned that an election could be held as a means of confirming by public mandate whether Abenomics and measures to exit deflation are the way forward or not. Referring to an election as a means of confirmation has raised criticisms among the opposition parties. Could I ask for your thoughts with regard to this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As nothing has yet been decided, I have no thoughts to share on this matter.

REPORTER: Today, it has been announced that President Tadakazu Kimura of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper will resign from his position to take responsibility for erroneous reports about the comfort women issue and the so-called “Yoshida testimony” that have undermined the confidence of society and readers in the newspaper. Can I ask for your thoughts about this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting from a Government position about a personnel matter at a media organization. However, I hope that the new president will move quickly to restore confidence in the newspaper.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In this morning’s press conference, in response to a question about reducing the burden of bases in Okinawa, you mentioned the construction of a second runway at Naha Airport, noting that this would require the understanding of local residents. Do you consider that if, as a result of the gubernatorial election, a governor is elected who is opposed to the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko, there would be such local cooperation and understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that the question this morning related to whether the construction schedule would go ahead as planned. If there is local support and cooperation, then I believe it is natural to assume that the construction would go ahead as planned.

REPORTER: Does that include cooperation with regard to the relocation to Henoko?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, what I was referring to was not the relocation to Henoko, but the construction of a second runway at Naha Airport.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Did you mention the construction of the second runway at Naha Airport out of concerns over the Communist Party’s opposition to the expansion, given that the party is one of the supporters of Mr. Onaga, the candidate who is tipped to win the election?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I did not go as far to say that, no.

(Abridged)