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Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary
February 26, 2015 (AM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
- The Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century
(Abridged)
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the meeting of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century that was held last night. I understand that you yourself attended this first meeting. Are there high hopes that the Panel will serve as a forum for the vigorous exchange of wide-ranging views, as was the original intention behind the selection of such diverse members?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe so. Although the meeting was only held for a short amount of time yesterday, all members present expressed their thoughts and opinions. Furthermore, despite it being their first time to exchange opinions, it was very much the case that everyone voiced their different views based on their respective positions. The date of the next meeting has already been decided and meetings will continue to be held, building upon the discussions while also listening to the opinions of the expert members of the Panel. As such, I believe it will be the kind of meeting you mentioned.
REPORTER: I have a related question. Following the meeting, Chairman Nishimuro stated that the Panel has no intention whatsoever of giving instructions about whether or not the views of its members should be included or excluded in the statement that the Prime Minister will issue on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. How much importance will the Government place on the final results compiled by the Panel?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, we established this Advisory Panel to listen to the opinions of all the expert members. In a sense, based on the wise views gathered from these experts, we intend to create a new statement, that will convey to the world our vision for the future of Japan and Japan’s deep remorse over World War II, as well as the path we have walked since the war.
(Abridged)
