Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First I would like to provide an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 14 general and other measures, draft legislation, Cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Yamatani and the Minister for Foreign Affairs each made statements regarding the holding of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

I would also like to announce a personnel matter relating to the Supreme Court that was approved by Cabinet decision today. Following the retirement of Justice Seishi Kanetsuki upon reaching retirement age, we have approved the appointment of Mr. Hiroshi Koike, President of the Tokyo High Court, to succeed Mr. Kanetsuki as a Supreme Court Justice.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the reinvestigation of victims of abduction by North Korea. Reports indicate that the Government intends to urge North Korea to issue the first report within one month. Could you please verify this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of any such reports. Nevertheless, the Government will strongly urge North Korea to conduct the investigation swiftly and report the results as soon as possible. This is indeed one of the foremost priorities of the Abe administration. The abduction issue is one of critical importance. We will exhaust every effort to achieve the return of all abduction victims to Japan, based on the principles of dialogue and pressure, and action for action.

(Abridged)