Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: After speaking with family members who confirmed the images and based on a comprehensive assessment of various information, we believe that the two men in the video, which purports to have been released by the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL) and uploaded on the Internet, are Mr. Haruna Yukawa and Mr. Kenji Goto. We are continuing to analyze the images. On January 20, Prime Minister Abe held talks with H.E. President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, and held telephone talks with H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan, H.E. President Erdogan of Turkey, and H.E. President El-Sisi of Egypt, and requested their cooperation. Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida held telephone talks with the foreign ministers of the United States, France, and Germany. Japan is also seeking the cooperation of various countries at a variety of levels and through many channels, including Japan’s overseas diplomatic establishments. Furthermore, a Local Response Headquarters was established in Amman, Jordan, where we dispatched State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakayama to collect information locally. Members of the Terrorism Response Team-Tactical Wing for Overseas (TRT-2) of the National Police Agency are also working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collect information and conduct other activities. Thus far, Japan has made proactive contributions to bring about peace in the Middle East and to improve the daily lives of those who live there. This time, the main purpose of Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Middle East was to send a message that Japan will contribute proactively to the stability of the Middle East region. As part of this effort, Japan pledged assistance in non-military fields, including humanitarian assistance, such as assistance for refugees and displaced persons. Japan’s assistance is purely for improving people’s daily lives in the Middle East. Japan’s intentions and efforts were presented as such on various occasions, including the meetings between Prime Minister Abe and the leaders of the Middle East countries. This information is also being proactively disseminated through a range of outlets, including the websites and social media platforms of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan’s overseas diplomatic establishments. We are making our strongest efforts to realize the release of the hostages. By no means is the intent of Japan’s efforts to kill the Muslim people, as was alleged by the perpetrator of the threats. We strongly urge the group not to harm the two Japanese nationals and to release them immediately. Japan will not give in to terrorism, and our position of contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts of the entire international community remains unchanged.

 

Q&As

REPORTER: Just now, you stated that the video is purported to have been released by ISIL. Does this mean that you have not yet arrived at the conclusion that ISIL released the video?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Based on a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances, including the video which purports to have been uploaded on the Internet by ISIL, at this time, we consider it highly likely that ISIL members are responsible for this incident.

REPORTER: I have a related question. ISIL warned that it would kill the hostages within 72 hours if the ransom is not paid. What is the Government’s understanding of when this deadline will come?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan confirmed the video at around 2:50 P.M. on January 20, Japan time. In any case, Japan will make its strongest efforts to realize the swift release of the two Japanese nationals, while working with the relevant countries.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It is about the time at which the video was uploaded. According to some reports, the video was already seen on the Internet at 7:30 am on January 20. This issue of time also affects the 72-hour deadline. Is the Government considering a scenario where the video was uploaded earlier than when the Government confirmed it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We confirmed the video at 2:50 P.M. on January 20.

REPORTER: Then, the Government anticipates that the deadline is 72 hours from 2:50 P.M. on January 20?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The deadline was decided unilaterally. The Government confirmed the video at around 2:50 P.M. on January 20, Japan time. In any case, we are making our strongest efforts to realize the swift release of the Japanese nationals involved.

REPORTER: Aside from the uploading of this video, has ISIL made contact with the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, it has not.

REPORTER: You stated that the Government confirmed that one of the captured men is Mr. Goto. What led Mr. Goto to enter Syria? Also, there are reports that in November, ISIL sent an email to Mr. Goto’s family members seeking ransom. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to Mr. Goto, due to the nature of the matter, I would like to refrain from commenting about the incident you just noted and other such issues.

REPORTER: A short while ago, you stated that ISIL has not made contact with the Government aside from uploading the video. Does that mean the Government has no channels for negotiating with ISIL, even by third-party intervention?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Leveraging diplomatic channels, we are making our strongest efforts to send out messages that express Japan’s intentions and urge ISIL to swiftly release the Japanese nationals. We are making use of all of the different mediums at our disposal to ensure that the messages reach ISIL.

REPORTER: I have a follow-up question. In a previous hostage incident – I believe it was in Iraq – I understand that the Government made efforts to make contact with the hostage-taker via local influential tribesmen, local religious leaders, and governments of third countries. Are similar efforts being undertaken this time around?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are making efforts such as the ones you mentioned.

REPORTER: While I understand that the Prime Minister is currently aboard the Government plane, has he given any new instructions since issuing the two that you received at 4:00 P.M. yesterday?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No instructions have been issued. The Prime Minister held telephone talks from where he was, and requested the cooperation of the leaders of neighboring countries.

REPORTER: I understand that the Prime Minister will be returning to Japan at 4:30 P.M., earlier than scheduled. After the Prime Minister returns to Japan, will meetings, such as a meeting of the relevant ministers, be held to discuss Japan’s responses?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is among the matters which are being considered.

REPORTER: There are debates unfolding on various outlets, including television, the Internet, and newspapers, with some saying that ransom should be paid and some saying that ransom should not be paid in light of the future consequences. What is your view regarding this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Most crucially, as I stated earlier, first of all, by no means is the intent of Japan’s assistance to kill the Muslim people, as was alleged by the perpetrator of the threats. It is purely humanitarian assistance. By employing an array of methods, we are working to ensure that this message gets across to ISIL. In this way, we are urging ISIL not to harm the two hostages and to release them immediately. Japan will not give in to terrorism, and our position to date of contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts of the international community remains completely unchanged.

REPORTER: While it is of course an urgent matter to save the lives of the two individuals concerned, so is ensuring the safety of other Japanese nationals in the area. What measures are you taking in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We consider that to be a critical matter as well. In particular, there are places which are vulnerable, such as schools for Japanese nationals. Therefore, the Safety Measures Liaison Council will swiftly hold a meeting on January 21st. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will instruct all of Japan’s overseas diplomatic establishments to take every measure possible to ensure the safety of Japanese residents and to coordinate closely with the institutions concerned, such as the vulnerable schools for Japanese nationals which I just noted. In addition, meetings are held regularly between overseas diplomatic establishments and local Japanese associations regarding safety measures. These entities are being instructed to renew such efforts.

REPORTER: You dispatched State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakayama to Amman. What will he be doing there? Do you intend to dispatch additional personnel to Amman?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated a short while ago, personnel from the Japanese Embassy in Syria have been sent to Amman. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also dispatching additional personnel now. At the same time, the National Police Agency has sent in personnel. In any case, arrangements are currently being made to fully deal with the situation.

REPORTER: With regard to the video in question, the direction of the shadow is different between the two hostages, and other peculiarities have been found, suggesting that the video was doctored. What are the Government’s views with respect to the authenticity of the video?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Since yesterday, experts have been analyzing the images, including the points you mentioned. However, I would like to refrain from responding about the details.

REPORTER: Does this mean that the two people are likely under the captivity of an armed group, irrespective of the analysis of the images? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Realistically, yes. Based on a comprehensive assessment of various information, including the video and information provided by their families, we judge that the two individuals are Mr. Yukawa and Mr. Goto.

REPORTER: I gather the Government had prior knowledge of ISIL’s capture of Mr. Yukawa. Is my understanding correct that the Government also had advance knowledge of Mr. Goto’s capture?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Mr. Yukawa went missing in northern Syria in mid-August last year, and it was suspected that he was captured by ISIL. Mr. Kenji Goto went missing in northern Syria in late October last year. The Government had been making efforts to collect information through our local embassy regarding these two individuals. That was the situation.

REPORTER: A short while ago, Vice-President Komura of the Liberal Democratic Party stated that cancelling the humanitarian assistance is out of the question, and that the ransom cannot be paid. Later, the Vice-President expressed his hope that the Government does everything it can within its capacity to rescue the hostages. Does the Government share the Vice-President’s view that ransom cannot be paid?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will not give in to terrorism, and our position of contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts by the international community remains unchanged.

REPORTER: I apologize for my repeated questions. Experts have analyzed that ISIL could either be doing this mainly for the money, or for some kind of political ulterior motive, such as to demonstrate their feelings towards Japan. What are your views in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is aware that both analyses exist.

REPORTER: If I may confirm with you, when you say Japan will not give in to terrorism, is it correct to understand that Japan will not pay the ransom?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It means Japan will not give in to terrorism, and our position to date of contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts of the international community remains unchanged. Furthermore, the assistance that the Prime Minister announced is assistance in non-military fields, including humanitarian assistance, such as assistance for refugees and displaced persons, which Japan has been carrying out from before. Japan’s assistance is purely for improving the daily lives of the people in the Middle East, and has been extending assistance to displaced persons from before. Japan will send out the message that Japan’s initiative is by no means intended to kill Muslim people, as was alleged by the heinous perpetrator of this incident. We will strongly urge ISIL not to harm the two individuals concerned, and to release them immediately.

REPORTER: I am sorry to ask this again or to be repetitive, but logically thinking, paying the ransom is equivalent to giving in to terrorism, is it not?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan’s position regarding counter-terrorism efforts remains completely unchanged.