Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the referendum that was conducted in Greece. Those who are opposed to accepting the fiscal rehabilitation measures sought by the EU accounted for a majority of the votes. How does the Japanese Government view this result?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are of course aware of the result of the national referendum. We anticipate that the euro area member states will wait to see what responses the Greek Government will take following the result of the national referendum and that the countries will then take responsible actions. The statement of June 27 from the euro area finance ministers’ meeting states that member states stand ready to take an array of measures to preserve the stability of the economy of the euro area, together with the European Central Bank. We understand that the EU has in place safety nets, such as the European Stability Mechanism with a maximum lending capacity of 500 billion euros. We view that the direct economic and financial relationship between Japan and Greece is extremely limited. Nevertheless, Japan is taking thorough steps in response to the Greece situation to ensure that nothing is left omitted. Today as well, relevant authorities from the Government and the Bank of Japan held a consultation from early this morning. They will work together closely. The stability of the euro area and the euro is critically important for the stable growth of the world economy. Therefore, authorities are being instructed to deal with the situation with utmost preparedness.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. Over the weekend, a decision was made to inscribe on the World Heritage List “The Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.” What is the comment of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, we are sincerely pleased that the inscription of “The Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” on the World Heritage List for cultural sites was approved at the World Heritage Committee session held in Germany. The sites illustrate how Japan trained people and achieved industrialization in just over 50 years, starting from the end of the Edo Period and lasting through the Meiji Period (from the 1850s through 1910), while incorporating Western technology. We believe that the inscription was an outcome of the universal value of the industrial heritage of Meiji Japan being correctly valued as a common heritage of mankind. We express our deepest respect and congratulations to the companies that have maintained these active heritage sites with significant historical value for more than 100 years, as well as to the community members and everyone involved who worked to preserve the series of heritage sites. With regard to this matter, the Japanese and the ROK Governments agreed at the foreign ministers’ meeting on the 21st of last month to cooperate with the inscriptions of sites proposed by both sides. The two countries have continued to carry out necessary arrangements. The arrangements were ultimately finalized, which led to the realization of the inscription through unanimous vote.

REPORTER: I have a related question. At the session, the Japanese Government submitted a statement that stated in regard to labor at some of the facilities that there were people who were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions. Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida commented that this statement does not mean forced labor. On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK stated that the Japanese Government practiced forced labor. There seems to be some disagreement between the views or interpretations of the two sides. What is your take on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The statement about requisitioned workers and other matters was based on the position that the Government has held hitherto. There is no change whatsoever to the Government’s position. The issues relating to property and claims between Japan and the ROK, including the issue of requisitioned workers from the Korean Peninsula, have been legally settled completely and finally by the Claims Settlement and Economic Co-operation Agreement of 1965. In addition, the statement made by the Japanese delegation did not mean in any way “forced labor.” This is exactly as was made clear by Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida yesterday. Through the high-level diplomatic exchanges between the Japanese and ROK Governments, it has been confirmed that the ROK Government has no intention of utilizing the Japanese delegate’s statement in the context of the issue of claims between Japan and ROK.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. Does this mean you consider that the latest judgment will have no impact on the trial that is currently under way in the ROK over the requisition of Korean civilians during the war?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is correct. This was clearly confirmed during the high-level exchanges.

REPORTER: The wording in Japanese was “ishi ni hanshite hatarakasareta” and in English “forced to work against their will.” In ordinary English, I believe this has practically the same meaning as “forced labor.” What is behind the Japanese Government’s insistence on saying “forced to work”?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated moments ago, through high-level exchanges during diplomatic negotiations with the ROK Government, it was confirmed that the ROK Government has no intention of utilizing the Japanese delegate’s statement in the context of the issue of claims between Japan and the ROK. The statement was based on the position that the Government has held hitherto. There is no change whatsoever to the position of the Government.

(Abridged)