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 six general and other measures, cabinet orders, and a personnel decision. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Arimura and I made statements concerning the review of the activities of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office, respectively. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the “Administrative Evaluation and Monitoring of Measures to Secure Physicians and Other Healthcare Professionals.” The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategy for the Promotion of Dementia Care.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Justice and the Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission made statements concerning the decision to renew the period of surveillance of Aum Shinrikyo, respectively.

Today, a Cabinet decision was adopted regarding the review of the activities of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office. It is urgent that the organization and mechanisms of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office are restructured in a flexible manner, so that both can fully fulfill their intended roles as entities supporting the operations of the administration under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office. Last week, we received a recommendation from the ruling parties to streamline the activities of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office. The Government values the recommendation and adopted it as a Cabinet decision. Going forward, the necessary procedures will be taken, including submitting relevant legislation to the current ordinary Diet session.

Prior to today’s Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Policies for Dementia Care was convened with the attendance of the Prime Minister. In Japan, one in four people over the age of 65 are said to have dementia or mild cognitive impairment. As such, we identify dementia policies as a priority that should be addressed through the collective efforts of the Government. Last autumn, an international meeting, the Global Dementia Legacy Event Japan, was held in Tokyo. At the meeting, Prime Minister Abe announced that Japan would establish a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of dementia care that will involve a coordinated approach by the whole Government. The Comprehensive Strategy for the Promotion of Dementia Care was established jointly today by 12 relevant ministries and agencies, beginning with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, from the focus on people with dementia and their families. The strategy incorporates a broad range of necessary measures, including the development of medical and nursing services, the establishment of community support systems, and the creation of environments friendly to people with dementia, namely, lifestyle supports and infrastructure supports. The meeting affirmed that the relevant ministries and agencies would work as one to create communities that are friendly to people with dementia and their families, in accordance with the strategy.

A meeting of the Ministerial Council on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games was also held. At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the entire nation needs to proceed with thorough preparations, that the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, as a festive event that involves the entire nation, will give momentum to restoring the vitality of Japan, and that the Games will spur the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The meeting affirmed that members of the Cabinet would undertake further efforts to these ends.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the hostage incident involving Japanese nationals. Bassam Al-Manaseer, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the House of Representatives of Jordan, stated in an interview with Kyodo News that the Jordanian Government is requesting that the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL) release both Mr. Kenji Goto and the Jordanian air force pilot. Does the Japanese Government perceive the two-for-one exchange of these two individuals for the female death-row inmate as an option?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are not aware of this. Japan is making every effort to realize the release of Mr. Goto as quickly as possible. Japan is requesting the cooperation of relevant countries, including Jordan, as well as all possible parties, such as tribal and religious group leaders. As this matter is ongoing, I would like to refrain from answering about our specific responses.

REPORTER: I am sorry to ask again, but are you saying that the two-for-one exchange of the two individuals for the female death-row inmate cannot be eliminated as a possibility?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are requesting Jordan’s cooperation. That is the situation.

REPORTER: I have one more question. In the interview, Mr. Al-Manaseer, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, speculated that Jordan could not release the female death-row inmate solely for Mr. Goto’s release. What is the Japanese Government’s view regarding Jordan’s assertion and position?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are requesting Jordan’s cooperation. As this is an ongoing matter, the Government is not in a position to make comments.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. There are reports saying that as a condition for the release, ISIL newly demanded the release of death-row inmate Ziad al-Karbouli in addition to the release of female death-row inmate Sajida al-Rishawi. Is the Government aware of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are not aware of this.

REPORTER: I have another related question. The Government explained that it confirmed that a new video of Mr. Goto was uploaded on the Internet after 11 p.m. on the January 24. According to some reports, the Government was aware of the video before the telephone talk between the Prime Minister and the Jordanian King. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this.

REPORTER: Is it still the case that you cannot confirm Mr. Goto’s safety?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are seeking the quickest possible release of Mr. Goto, working on the basis that he is still alive.

REPORTER: I have a related question. One week has already passed since the first video of the hostages was circulated. Has ISIL still not made any direct contact with the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, it has not.

REPORTER: On a related note, how does the Japanese Government analyze the fact that it has no direct contact with ISIL even as you demand the release of the hostages?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is conducting various analyses. However, I would like to refrain from talking about this.

REPORTER: My question is in regard to this matter. Our reporter has confirmed that State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakayama in Amman rushed out of his hotel at 2:20 a.m. local time. Does this mean that there is some kind of new development?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of that.

REPORTER: It is conceivable that State Minister Nakayama left to meet with officials of the Jordanian Government. You are not aware about this either?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The State Minister seeks Jordan’s cooperation every day. I believe they are constantly in contact.

REPORTER: I would like to return to the subject of the time at which the Government confirmed the video of Mr. Goto. As was asked a short while ago, several news reports have come out speculating that the Government was aware of the video prior to the Japan-Jordan telephone talk. Earlier, you said that you were not aware of this. Is there really no truth to the reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of this. That is the bottom line.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On January 26, on the Internet, the spokesman of ISIL urged Muslims in Western countries to execute new attacks. He even went so far as to threaten Muslim believers by saying that anyone who does not execute attacks will be deemed an enemy. The spokesman appears to have named the countries where this Islamic extremist group has conducted terrorist attacks. Although the spokesman did not make any references to Japan, what is your view regarding this?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has no intention of responding to each and every such statement made by ISIL.