Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have two announcements I would like to read out. First, I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 15 general and other measures, draft bills, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions.

With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning revisions to the Basic Plan for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea; the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the labor force survey, consumer price index, and the results of the household budget survey; the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the effective ratio of job offers to applicants; the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the administrative evaluation and monitoring of efforts to improve the accuracy of meteorological forecasts and other efforts; and Minister Arimura made a statement concerning the FY2014 Suicide Prevention Month.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the draft mid-term goals of independent administrative agencies, among other matters.

During today’s Cabinet meeting, a Cabinet understanding was reached regarding the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to Japan for an Official Working Visit. The Chancellor will visit Japan from March 9 to 10. This will mark the first visit to Japan by a German Chancellor in seven years. This year, Germany is chairing the G7 Summit, and next year, Japan will take over the G7 Summit chairmanship from Germany. From this standpoint as well, we consider it critically important that Japan and Germany work together. It will be extremely meaningful for Prime Minister Abe and Chancellor Merkel to discuss partnerships as summit chairs, the challenges facing the international community including counter-terrorism efforts, regional situations, especially the situation in Ukraine, and the deepening of bilateral relations, among other matters. We regard Chancellor Merkel as one of the key leaders in the European Union and the international community. We hope the Chancellor’s visit to Japan will serve as an opportunity to send out the message that Japan and Germany, as partners sharing basic values, will proactively contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world in a future-oriented manner.

I will now take your questions.

Q&As

REPORTER: According to media reports, Japan has sent feelers to Washington about the Prime Minister delivering a speech to the U.S. Congress in view of Japan-U.S. relations over the 70 years since the war’s end. This would take place when the Prime Minister visits the United States during the holiday period in late April and early May. Is this true? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, it is not true that Japan has approached the United States on this matter. Washington recently announced that it was inviting Prime Minister Abe to the United States. The exact dates are currently being arranged between the two countries. That is the situation.

(Abridged)