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 cabinet orders and a personnel decision. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Arimura and the Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission made statements, respectively, concerning the promotion of traffic accident prevention measures. 

Q&As

• The Japan-U.S. relations
• The one-year anniversary of establishment of the National Security Secretariat

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Japan-U.S. relations. There are rumors that with this year being the milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Prime Minister Abe will visit the United States to meet with President Obama to discuss the revision of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, among other matters. How does the Japanese Government intend to further deepen the Japan-U.S. relationship?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, ever since the Abe Government was inaugurated, we have been fully committed to rebuilding the Japan-U.S. Alliance. As a result of our efforts, last April, when President Obama paid a State Visit to Japan, he stated that the Senkaku Islands were covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which was a first by a U.S. President. In this sense, the stability of the Japan-U.S. Alliance has been enhanced significantly. Furthermore, it remains unchanged that the security situation surrounding Japan is extremely severe. Under such circumstances, the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the linchpin of Japan’s security, and therefore, Japan will work to further strengthen the Alliance. Specifically, we will work to complete the revision of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. We will also work to obtain the public’s understanding for Japan’s security legislation, based on extensive discussions during the ordinary session of the Diet. In addition, Japan will coordinate closely with the United States to swiftly conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. In this regard, this year, we will continue to build up the Japan-U.S. relationship to the one with mutual trust.

REPORTER: I am not sure if my question directly concerns the previous question, but I have a question concerning the press briefing of Spokesperson Psaki of the U.S. Department of State on January 5. With regard to yesterday’s remarks by the Prime Minister that he was considering releasing a statement on the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, the Spokesperson stated that the U.S. view is that the apologies extended by previous Prime Minister Murayama and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono marked important chapters in Japan’s efforts to improve relations with its neighbors. The Spokesperson’s remarks can be construed as a warning to the Government not to modify its existing recognition of history. What is the Government’s opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the Abe Cabinet has stated consistently that it upholds the position on the recognition outlined by the previous administrations in its entirety, including the Murayama Statement. In this sense, Japan has explained its recognition to the United States, and we gather that the United States fully understands our recognition.  

REPORTER: Given the present situation, do you have the impression that the 70th anniversary statement has taken a life of its own or that it is receiving excessive attention?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Is it not because the press writes about it so much that rumors keep spreading about the 70th anniversary statement?

REPORTER: My question is related to the previous question. Spokesperson Psaki also touched on Japan’s efforts to improve relations with China and the Republic of Korea (ROK). What role is the 70th anniversary statement expected to play with respect to improving Japan’s relations with the two countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not yet considered the statement in detail. As Prime Minister Abe stated during his New Year’s press conference yesterday, I expect that the administration will incorporate into a new, future-oriented statement a message concerning Japan’s remorse over World War II, the path we have walked since the war as a peace-loving nation, and how Japan will contribute further to benefit the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Yesterday, the Prime Minister stated during his New Year’s press conference that he intends to consolidate wisdom for the preparation of the Prime Minister’s statement. How will the Prime Minister be collecting opinions? For example, will you be setting up an advisory panel? How many members will it consist of? And in terms of the schedule, when do you plan to release the statement that consolidates this wisdom?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The intellectuals will be selected in consultation with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister intends to hear their views and consolidate wisdom when considering what the Abe administration can send out as a message to the world, at an appropriate timing, concerning the path Japan will follow leading up to the next 80th, 90th, and 100th anniversaries. The statement will be released at an appropriate timing. It has not been decided yet.

REPORTER: To confirm then, based on what you just stated, is it correct that even if a new message or something of that nature is released, the Murayama and Kono Statements will still be valid?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I expect that as the Prime Minister stated during his press conference yesterday, the statement will be future-oriented and express Japan’s remorse over WWII, the path we have walked since the war as a peace-loving nation, and how Japan will contribute further to benefit the Asia-Pacific region and world peace.

REPORTER: To confirm, the Murayama and Kono Statements go into greater depth about various matters, using various expressions. Will the statements remain valid in their entirety?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will be selecting the intellectuals and hearing their views based on what I stated moments ago. We intend to consolidate wisdom regarding the message that the Abe administration can send out to the world at an appropriate timing.

REPORTER: If I may confirm then, is it possible that the new statement will revise the content of previous statements?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The content is yet to be decided. As we have responded at the Diet all along, the Abe Cabinet upholds the position on the recognition outlined by the previous administrations in its entirety, including the Murayama Statement. We will also uphold the Kono Statement.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In terms of scheduling, is it correct to understand that the administration hopes to establish an advisory panel sometime around March? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We intend to do this at an appropriate timing.

(Abridged)        
 
REPORTER: January 7 will mark the one-year anniversary of the National Security Secretariat (NSS). What is your evaluation of the role that the NSS has played over this past one-year as the control tower of Japan’s foreign and security policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The National Security Council (NSC), the so-called four ministers’ meeting, has been convened at a pace of once every two weeks. As a result, we are beginning to have arrangements in place to execute whole-of-government, strategic foreign and security policy, with the Prime Minister acting as the control tower. The NSS, in addition to its role as the secretariat of the NSC, has played an important role in the implementation of strategic and flexible policies by reflecting the Prime Minister’s wishes, breaking down the vertically segmented structure of ministries and agencies, and consolidating information. In addition, with Secretary General Yachi of the NSS proactively holding talks with his counterparts in the United States, China, India, the ROK, the European Union, and elsewhere, Japan’s strategic partnerships with other countries have been significantly reinforced. This year, we have various items on our agenda, including strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and deepening relations with neighboring countries. The NSC and the NSS will thus continue to lead Japan’s efforts to carry out strategic and flexible foreign and security policy.

REPORTER: I have a related question. With some personnel diverted to the development of security legislation, observers in Japan have pointed to the problem of manpower shortage. How will you be dealing with these challenges?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It has only been one year exactly. We will duly reflect on these challenges and work to put in place arrangements to meet the expectations of the people, in terms of implementing flexible national security and foreign policy.            

REPORTER: Today, the Cabinet held its first meeting of the new year. Did the Prime Minister make any statements or give out any instructions to ministers during the Cabinet meeting or ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In addition to making his New Year’s greetings, the Prime Minister expressed his intention to ensure that there are no delays when formulating the budget. The Prime Minister also stated that the administration should work as one to fulfil the expectations of the people in 2015 as well.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Sea Shepherd, which continues to interfere with dolphin fishing in Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture. According to media reports, the Ministry of Justice denies entry into Japan of the activists who form the leaders of Sea Shepherd and others. Is this true? Secondly, could you please share with us what measures Japan is considering to take against Sea Shepherd if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, it is true that over the past one year, 11 Sea Shepherd members were denied landing in Japan. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual cases. In general terms, Japan denies the entry into Japan of an overseas applicant if, after verifying the details, such as his/her purpose of entry, activities in Japan, and where he/she will stay, it cannot be found that the applicant’s activities in Japan fall under any of the categories of the statuses of residence provided for in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.