Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The hostage incident of Japanese nationals in Syria
• The 70th anniversary of the World War II

REPORTER: I have a question in connection with the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL). It is about the new audio message that was circulated this morning. I believe that this afternoon, once again, you excused yourself from the meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives in order to collect and analyze information. Since this morning, have you obtained any new information? Have there been any new developments? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I received many briefings from Government officials. However, there are no concrete developments I am aware of at this point in time.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Does this mean that as of now, the Government is not considering coming out with any new measures by sunset?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have no such intention. Since the start of this incident, the Government has been requesting the cooperation of all possible parties, including relevant countries, such as Jordan, as well as tribal leaders and religious leaders. Within this context, the Government is making every effort to realize the quickest possible release of Mr. Goto.

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, has the Jordanian Government explained anything to you about how it plans to negotiate with the perpetrators?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are in close contact with the Jordanian Government. However, I would like to refrain from going into this due to the nature of the matter.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Is the Japanese Government requesting that the Jordanian Government let the Japanese Government know in advance when a final decision is made regarding Jordan’s negotiation approach? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The government has consistently requested the cooperation of the Jordanian Government. In this context, we are now working in close contact with the Jordanian Government. With regard to concrete developments, it is natural that I do not go into details when the situation is ongoing, due to the nature of the matter.

REPORTER: I have a related question concerning the new audio message. In short, ISIL demanded the transfer of the death-row inmate. They did not make any direct demands with respect to Mr. Goto. What is being requested of the Japanese Government? Conversely, what responses is Japan taking in response to this message?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Based on the release of this message, the Japanese Government is asking for the further cooperation of relevant countries.

REPORTER: I have one more question. It appears that ISIL is demanding an exchange between Mr. Goto and the death-row inmate and that Jordan is proposing the exchange between the pilot and the death-row inmate. On the surface there appear to be differences. Have you been able to converge the interests of the Japanese and Jordanian Governments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Ever since this incident began, Japan has requested the cooperation of the Jordanian Government. Our view is that the Jordanian Government is working with us based on the firm relationship of trust that exists between our two countries.

REPORTER: Are both countries hoping for a win-win outcome for the two countries, a concrete outcome of some kind, such as the release of both Mr. Goto and the pilot?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is an ongoing matter, I believe I, as Government spokesperson, should not comment on every such matter. We are taking steps based on the deep trust that exists between Japan and Jordan.

REPORTER: The foreign minister of Jordan expressed the view that Mr. Goto was included in Jordan’s negotiations for the prisoner swap. Is my understanding correct that the Japanese Government also holds this view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making comments, including on such matters. I nevertheless would like to reiterate that there exists deep trust between Japan and Jordan.

REPORTER: In relation to this, I have a question pertaining to Mr. Iijima, Special Advisor to the Cabinet. According to a weekly magazine article that came out this week, Mr. Iijima notes the Government’s establishment of the Local Response Headquarters in Jordan and asserts that these factors complicated the situation surrounding the hostage incident. The article also states that Mr. Iijima stressed that the local headquarters be established in Turkey. Can you please share your comments on Mr. Iiijima’s remarks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is absolutely no truth to them. The security situation in Syria has deteriorated. As such, in March 2012, we temporarily closed our embassy in Syria and established an ad hoc office for the embassy inside the current Japanese embassy in Jordan in Amman, Jordan. The ongoing incident occurred in Syria. Therefore, it is entirely logical that we establish the headquarters in Jordan from the viewpoint of collecting information.

REPORTER: I have a related question. According to the article, Special Advisor Iijima asserted that the local headquarters be established in Turkey. Do you have any comments on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of the assertions of the Special Advisor. I would like to say, however, that the Prime Minister phoned the President of Turkey immediately after this incident occurred, and Turkey has expressed great understanding and offered us full support.

REPORTER: Sunset in Mosul time is generally 5:30 p.m. local time, which is 11:30 p.m. Japan time. Does the Government share this recognition? Is this correct?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In general, yes, I believe so. However, as this was decided unilaterally by ISIL, I would like to refrain from making comments.

REPORTER: In the message purportedly from ISIL, ISIL demands that death-row inmate al-Rishawi be brought to the Turkish border. Do you currently have the necessary number of Japanese Government officials in Turkey for such exchanges? Or will some staff be sent there from Jordan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japanese Embassy in Turkey has arrangements in place for dealing with a variety of contingencies.

REPORTER: One of the objectives of ISIL could be to, through the negotiations, divide public opinion and cause confusion in Jordan, which is participating in the coalition that continues to launch air strikes. What is your opinion regarding the fact that, if this were the case, a Japanese hostage is being utilized as a catalyst for this purpose?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, these despicable acts of terrorism by ISIL can never be condoned, and we resolutely denounce and condemn them. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for us to know what their intentions are for doing this. As I stated earlier, Japan and Jordan have strong amicable relations, with the king visiting Japan and the Prime Minister visiting Jordan this month.

REPORTER: The previous statement from ISIL set a 24-hour deadline and included a message saying “this is my last message.” I was under the impression that the message was something like an ultimatum. But then this morning, another statement was released. It seems that the deadline has been essentially extended. What is the Government’s opinion on ISIL’s aims?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: ISIL has given time various time limits a number of times now. Under such circumstances, the Government would like to refrain from making comments every time they say something like this. What the Government should be doing is clear. This is to realize the quickest possible release of Mr. Goto. The Government is making concerted and its strongest efforts to doing what is necessary to this end.

REPORTER: I would like to change the theme to the Prime Minister’s statement for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Mr. Yoshio Urushibara, Chair of the Central Secretariat of the Komeito party, stated in his press conference today that regardless of whether the new statement uses wording from past statements by prime ministers, it should be clear to other countries and to neighboring countries that Japan upholds the position outlined in previous statements. The Abe administration is a coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. How will Komeito be involved in the drafting of the statement? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is Prime Minister Abe’s statement, the Prime Minister himself will ask an advisory panel to discuss the format of the statement. It is too early yet to say this and that about the statement when this process has not even begun.

REPORTER: I have a related question. If it is a “Sori Danwa,” then a Cabinet decision is needed. There is a “Sori no Danwa” and a “Sori Danwa.” I believe the latter requires a Cabinet decision. Will the new statement be a “Sori Danwa” that requires a Cabinet decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The specifics have not been decided yet. As the Prime Minister explained many times at the Diet, the statement will communicate Japan’s remorse regarding WWII, the path Japan has taken as a peace-loving nation following WWII, and how Japan will contribute to peace in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Furthermore, the exact content will be considered in the course of hearing the opinions of experts. Through this process, the Government will determine what kind of a statement it will be. The Prime Minister has stated clearly that the Abe Cabinet upholds, and will continue to uphold, the position on the recognition of history outlined by previous cabinets. I find it totally incomprehensible that these things are being said about the statement, even before we have selected the experts who will advise in its writing.

REPORTER: Does that mean you have not even decided whether the statement will be adopted as a Cabinet decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I gather that previous statements by prime ministers were adopted as a Cabinet decision in principle. But, as I said, the advisory panel has not yet started discussing what the statement should look like. I find it totally preposterous to be asked to make comments, to say yes or no, and depending on what I say, my statements are construed to mean no. We will first ask an advisory panel to discuss the statement. As I stated moments ago, and as the Prime Minister has made public, the statement will communicate Japan’s remorse regarding WWII, the path of peace Japan has taken following WWII, and how Japan will contribute. The Abe Cabinet upholds and will continue to uphold the position on the recognition of history outlined by previous cabinets in its entirety. We have made our intentions clear. First, an advisory panel will discuss what the statement should look like and the Government will take it from there. That is all.

REPORTER: You just stated that it was totally preposterous for you to comment on the statement before the advisory panel is launched. Does this mean that it is also too early to comment on how Komeito will be involved, which was raised by Mr. Urushibara?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The advisory panel will first discuss what the statement should look like. In this context, I perceive that the ruling parties will listen to various discussions and opinions. I anticipate that in this process, we will be formally seeking opinions from a variety of sources. As I said, the discussions have not yet started. Once they start, I expect that a variety of opportunities will be created for their involvement.

(Abridged)