Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:

(Abridged)

I have an announcement regarding the holding of next year’s Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Kenya. It was formally decided that the next TICAD summit meeting, which will mark its sixth round, will be held in Kenya in 2016. The dates will be decided in coordination with the TICAD co-organizers, including the host country Kenya, the African Union Commission, and relevant United Nations agencies. While Africa is achieving strong economic growth, underpinned by its wealth of natural resources and expanding market, it continues to face many challenges. At the next TICAD summit meeting, which will be held in Africa for the first time, Japan and African countries will deepen discussions on overcoming such issues. In addition, Japan will make contributions unique to Japan, including those regarding the achievement “high quality growth” and “human security,” the utilization of advanced technologies, and the development of human resources.

During today’s Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved the invitation of H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda in Africa, and his spouse, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, for an Official Working Visit to Japan from September 9 to 12. During their stay in Japan, the President and his spouse will make a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will host a Court Luncheon in honor of the President and his spouse. Prime Minister Abe will also hold a meeting as well as host a dinner for the President. In recent years, Uganda has achieved steady economic growth and contributed to the peace and stability of the East Africa region. Japan and Uganda have forged friendly and cooperative relations over many years and are mutually vital partners in the international community. Japan expects that the President’s visit to Japan will further deepen the cooperative relations and ties between Japan and Uganda.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding North Korea’s shelling. Yesterday, North Korea conducted shelling in the direction of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the ROK Armed Forces returned fire. As military tensions heighten in the Korean Peninsula, can you please share with us the views of the Government and the responses it has taken thus far?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government is deeply concerned about the recent acts and consider that North Korea should exercise self-restraint in such provocative acts. We are taking all possible measures to take the necessary responses with a sense of urgency, in close coordination with the United States, the ROK, and other countries. As for the Government, at the Information Liaison Office for the Situation in North Korea established within the Prime Minister’s Office. The Cabinet Secretariat and the relevant ministries and agencies are closely working together in their efforts to collect and consolidate intelligence. The Government remains committed to making every effort to collect and analyze intelligence and take appropriate responses, while maintaining communication with the relevant countries.  

(Abridged)