Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be attending the commemorative event for the “70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” in China on September 3. What is the view of the Japanese Government regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I believe that the U.N. should remain neutral. It should encourage member states to take a future-oriented approach, rather than focusing excessively on particular events of the past. In any case, more than 190 countries are members of the U.N., and in that regard, the U.N. should by all means remain neutral. On this year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, I believe the U.N. should not focus excessively on particular events of the past. What is required of the U.N. is to precisely underscore the reconciliation, development, and future-oriented approach of the international community, including respect for freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

(Abridged)