Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Prime Minister Abe will visit Ukraine and Germany from June 5 to 9. First, Prime Minister Abe will visit Ukraine as the first Japanese Prime Minister to ever do so and hold a summit meeting with President Poroshenko. It is hoped that this visit will deepen Japan-Ukraine relations, and that Japan, as the next G7 Chair, will be able to express once again its intention to work towards a peaceful solution to the situation in Ukraine and proactively support the domestic reforms in Ukraine. In Germany, the Prime Minister will attend the G7 Summit to be held in Elmau in the suburbs of Munich. At this year’s G7, the leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing issues facing the international community, including the global economy, regional affairs, climate change, energy, and development. Japan will be the G7 Chair next year. Looking ahead to next year, Japan hopes to actively contribute to the discussions at the Elmau Summit and pave the way for the summit in Japan.

Q&As     

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine. What is the Government’s outlook regarding the impact that this visit will have on Japan-Russia relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We do not expect the visit to have any impact on Japan-Russia relations. 

REPORTER: What is the reason for that?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Looking at the overall flow of events, the Government deems that the visit will not have any impact.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Does that mean it will also not affect President Putin’s visit to Japan at the end of this year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the dates of President Putin’s visit to Japan as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida’s visit to Russia, we will consider a number of different factors in a comprehensive manner, while also taking into account the status of the preparations.

(Abridged)