Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Launch of missiles by North Korea

REPORTER: There may be some overlap with a question from this morning’s press conference, but if I may, I have a question concerning the launch of missiles by North Korea. I believe the Government protested the launch, as it posed a security risk to Japan, but plans to treat this as a separate matter from the abduction issue and proceed with the Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations. Is this understanding correct?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the recent missile launch was extremely problematic from the perspective of ensuring the safety of aircraft and maritime vessels. It also violates the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, this act also violates the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration and the Six-Party Talks Joint Statement. We immediately lodged a protest against North Korea to that effect. With that context in mind, the abduction issue is one of the foremost priorities of the Abe administration, and in any case, given that we will be meeting with the responsible persons from the Special Investigation Committee, the Government will strongly urge North Korea to notify us of the results of the investigation as soon as possible. It is very much the case that we will firmly address the situation, in accordance with the principles of dialogue and pressure, and action for action.