Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about anti-Japanese reporting in the Chinese media. The government-run Xinhua News Agency has released an article calling for His Majesty the Emperor to apologize for the past war. Could you tell us your views about this article, and also what the response of the Government is?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the article that you mentioned, the content is particularly disrespectful to His Majesty and is not compatible with the position expressed by the Chinese side thus far. It is also completely unfavorable to Japan-China relations and threatens to derail the recent improvements in relations that have been achieved following two summit meetings. A strong protest was lodged yesterday through diplomatic channels. (Abridged)