Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Late last evening, an image purportedly showing Mr. Kenji Goto was circulated on the Internet. My question is in regard to the authenticity of the image. What reasons lead the Government to conclude that the image was likely circulated by the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL)?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As you just noted, yesterday, on Twitter, an audio message that purportedly shows Mr. Kenji Goto – an image of Mr. Goto holding a photograph of a Jordanian pilot – was posted. This kind of despicable act causes us nothing but strong indignation. Therefore, we express resolute condemnation. With regard to your question concerning the authenticity of the image, while we are still examining the image, at this stage we have found no particular “evidence” to deny its authenticity, to say that the image is not that of Mr. Goto.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Does that mean that in the Government’s view, as of now the chances are high that the voice of the man speaking in English is also Mr. Goto’s?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As I stated moments ago, while we are still confirming this, the circumstances do not cause us to deny it.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe that in the message, a group which appears to be the perpetrator demanded the release of death-row inmate Sajida al-Rishawi within 24 hours. I understand that the Government confirmed the image at around 11 p.m. yesterday. In the Government’s opinion, when is the starting point of the 24 hours?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: The Government of Japan confirmed said message on the 27th, at around 11 p.m. Japan time. We are aware that there was mention of a 24-hour deadline in the message. However, in any case, we intend to make our strongest efforts to realize the swift release of Mr. Goto with the cooperation of relevant countries, including the Jordanian Government.

REPORTER: Regarding the deadline, are you saying that as of now you do not necessarily perceive it to be 11 p.m.?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: All I can say is, as I stated a short while ago, we confirmed the message on the 27th, at around 11 p.m. Japan time.

REPORTER: I wonder if I can confirm with you whether, since the video message arrived late last night, you have obtained any information regarding Mr. Goto’s safety, or whether ISIL has made any contact with or sent any messages to the Japanese Government?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: We have only received yesterday’s message, that is to say, such information on the Internet.

REPORTER: I understand that the time at which the Government confirmed the message was 11 p.m. yesterday. So I presume that 11 p.m. is your tentative deadline. Until then, will you be bolstering your readiness? What preparations can we understand the Government to be undertaking in the meantime?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As I stated moments ago, leaving aside the question of the deadline and so on, we confirmed the message at 11 p.m. last night. Subsequently, last evening, following the receipt of this message, we, the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries, and others met under the leadership of the Chief Cabinet Secretary to discuss Japan’s response. We affirmed that within this extremely severe context, the Government of Japan has thus far requested cooperation from the Government of Jordan to bring about the early release of Mr. Goto and that this policy will remain unchanged going forward. Then, upon consulting with the Prime Minister, we communicated the Government’s intention to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakayama in Jordan via the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, from 9:35 a.m. this morning, an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council was convened. During the meeting, the Prime Minister once again instructed what I have just stated. Also, the Prime Minister instructed the relevant ministers to cooperate in dedicating their utmost efforts to securing the release of Mr. Goto, staying constantly vigilant. 

REPORTER: With regard to how Jordan will deal with the situation, is the Government of Japan engaged in consultations with the Government of Jordan? Or is it basically the Government’s stance to leave decisions to the Government of Jordan?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I am not sure what aspects you are referring to. Nevertheless my understanding is that the Government of Jordan will respond appropriately. For our part, the Government of Japan will continue to request the cooperation of the Government of Jordan to bring about the early release of Mr. Goto.

REPORTER: I have a point of confirmation. Has the Government received any notification from the Government of Jordan concerning whether or not they intend to release the female death-row inmate who is currently under sentence of death?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As I said, the Government of Japan is first and foremost requesting cooperation to bring about the early release of Mr. Kenji Goto.

REPORTER: In the image and audio file that has been released it is unclear whether the demand is for a one-to-one exchange for Mr. Goto and the death-row inmate, or a one-for-two exchange, including the Jordanian pilot as well. What is the recognition of the Government with regard to the demands being made by the criminal group?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: The Government takes the audio message at face value.

REPORTER: On a related note, the message would seem to suggest that the Jordanian pilot has even less time remaining. From this it could be assumed that if Mr. Goto has 24 hours, then the perpetrators are pushing for a decision on the pilot in a shorter time frame than 24 hours. What is the Government’s view on this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: The Government is not in a position to interpret the message in various different ways. We are taking the message as it is, at face value.

REPORTER: In relation to the previous question, although the most recent message seems to be referring also to the Jordanian pilot, it sounds like the demand is still for the exchange of Mr. Goto for the death-row inmate Sajida al-Rishawi. Is the Government engaging in its response to this situation based on the recognition that the demand is for a one-to-one exchange?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: What the Government is doing, above all else, is to request the cooperation of the Government of Jordan to bring about the early release of Mr. Kenji Goto. That is all.

REPORTER: In contrast to the previous message, this message has imposed a 24-hour deadline. Will there be any change in the Government’s response due to this new deadline?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As I just stated, the Government will continue to make every effort to bring about the early release of Mr. Kenji Goto.

REPORTER: On a different issue, I have a question with regard to the initial video, released on January 20, in which ISIL threatens to kill the hostages. A number of reports are suggesting that the Government has concluded that there are no traces to suggest this video was doctored. Could you tell us the facts behind these reports?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: At the current point I have not heard anything about a conclusion having been reached. However, neither have I heard anything about traces of the video having been doctored.

REPORTER: Following the recent Ministerial Council meeting, in ad hoc responses to the press the Prime Minister omitted to state words to the effect that “there is no change in the Government’s stance of not giving in to terrorism and contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts by the international community,” which is something he has consistently stated until now. This is something that caught my attention. Can we infer anything from this omission?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: There is absolutely no change whatsoever in the Government’s stance of continuing to request cooperation from governments and organizations concerned, including the Government of Jordan, to bring about the early release of Mr. Goto, and of not giving in to terrorism and contributing to the counter-terrorism efforts by the international community.