Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Relocation of U.S. Forces Japan Futenma Air Station

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the visit by Governor Onaga of Okinawa Prefecture to the Prime Minister’s office yesterday. This was the governor’s first visit to the Prime Minister’s Office since his appointment. He met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita and after the meeting he stated to reporters that he had requested the relocation of U.S. Forces Japan Futenma Air Station to outside the prefecture or outside Japan, and also forcefully indicated his wish for construction at the base at Henoko to be halted. Have you received a report from Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita about the meeting? Also, given that the governor has now formally expressed his opposition to the construction at Henoko, could you tell us about how the Government will respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I have received a report about the meeting between the governor and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita and its outcomes. My understanding is that the meeting was largely concerned with greetings and introductions following the governor’s appointment, and that there was no specific discussion about the base issue that you have just mentioned.

REPORTER: I have a related question. After his meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita, as I just pointed out, Governor Onaga stated that he had requested that the base construction at Henoko be halted. Have you not received any report about this matter from Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I have heard from Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita is that there was no specific discussion about the base issue.