Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have one announcement to read out. I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 19 general and other measures, draft bills, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions.

I will now take your questions.

Q&As

• Japan-Germany summit meeting

REPORTER: My question concerns yesterday’s summit meeting between the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel. During the meeting, the leaders affirmed their commitment to working together on a variety of matters, including the situation in Ukraine, United Nations Security (UN) Council reform, and the Japan-EU economic partnership agreement. What is your assessment of the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at yesterday’s Japan-Germany summit meeting, the leaders held a candid exchange of views upon affirming that the two countries are global partners who share fundamental values, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law, and play a key role in addressing the issues facing the international community today.

More specifically, the leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to seek each other’s cooperation in a number of areas, including the situation in Ukraine, the security situation in East Asia, UN Security Council reform, partnership as G7 chairs, counter-terrorism measures, disarmament and non-proliferation, and economic and energy matters. My perception is that it was an excellent and forward-looking meeting.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Prime Minister’s statement for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Mr. Shinichi Kitaoka, Acting Chair of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century, stated at yesterday’s symposium that he would like Prime Minister Abe to mention Japan’s aggression in relation to WWII. What is the comment of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the media reports regarding this. We will closely follow the discussions taking place at the recently-launched Advisory Panel. However, the Government does not consider it appropriate to comment on each and every opinion expressed by the members of the Advisory Panel.