Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There have been indications that recently President Xi Jinping of China issued a formal invitation to Prime Minister Abe to attend the ceremony marking the anniversary of the end of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression on September 3. Has the Government received such an invitation? Will Prime Minister Abe attend the ceremony?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, at the present time nothing has yet been decided about whether the Prime Minister will attend. I am aware of the press reports about this matter, but I would like to refrain from commenting about individual reports. With regard to the event that you mentioned, the Government has received various explanations from the Chinese side, but as of now no invitation has been received.

(Abridged)