Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:

(Abridged)

Today, before the Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters was held, at which the Government’s draft Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) was approved. The draft sets out the target for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2030, which is as equally ambitious as the targets of other countries. Japan intends to submit the INDC to the United Nations as early as mid- to late-July, following the completion of the necessary procedures, including the public comment period. In addition, the Headquarters has established the logo “Cool Choice” to launch the national campaign on global warming prevention, which will be implemented through the collective efforts of the Government.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the leak of pension data. Can you please explain to us the background of how the data was leaked, as well as how the Government will be addressing this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, five years ago, in the context of the problems which emerged in relation to pensions and the significant inconvenience they caused to the Japanese people, the predecessor organization was dissolved and the Japan Pension Service (JPS) was established in order to start afresh. It is extremely regrettable that at this very organization personal data was leaked. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), a thorough investigation is being conducted to gauge how the data was leaked, while taking into consideration various possibilities. We are committed to taking all possible responses so that an inconvenience is not caused to the people whose personal data have been leaked, as well as investigating the problems and taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. As we work to establish a new cybersecurity strategy, we take the fact that an incident of this kind has taken place very seriously. The National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity at the Cabinet Secretariat has dispatched an information security emergency support team to assist with the investigation conducted by the MHLW and the JPS. Furthermore, we will establish an investigation team to ascertain the causes. The team will ascertain the causes from an objective and expert point of view. In addition, the Cybersecurity Measure Promotion Council held a meeting under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita. The Council Chair instructed system inspections and proper management of personal data. The Government as a whole remains committed to cyber security measures.

(Abridged)