Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japanese nationals detained during World War II

(Abridged)

REPORTER: If I may change the subject, I have a question regarding Japanese nationals detained during World War II. A list was recently discovered in Russia containing the names of over 800 Japanese nationals who are deemed to have died in an internment camp set up by the former Soviet Union in North Korea following the war. This information may be helpful for collecting the remains of Japanese nationals who died in North Korea and other related matters. Could you please share the Government’s view on the matter, including how you might put this list to use?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware of the media reports you just cited. With regard to the content of the list, I have been briefed that the information contained therein is the same as that from a list the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) received from the State Archive of the Russian Federation in November 2006. Furthermore, it has been reported to me that whenever family members and relatives make an inquiry about someone who passed away during the war, MHLW will examine the documents and materials that have been preserved from the time of the former Imperial Japanese Army, and those obtained from Russia, and provide the relevant information to them. That being said, the Government considers it necessary to provide information that can help identify the family members and relatives of the deceased. We therefore intend to share the relevant information publically, for example via government websites, upon comparing that information with documents and materials preserved from the time of the former Imperial Japanese Army and so forth.

(Abridged)