Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Taro Aso is scheduled to attend events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Singapore on August 9, representing the Government of Japan. The Deputy Prime Minister’s planned visit to Singapore will be from August 8 to 10. Japan and Singapore share the same basic concepts on the peace and stability of the region and the international community. Singapore was also the first country with which Japan concluded an economic partnership agreement (EPA) and we share extremely close relations in economic areas. Next year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. In view of the importance of our bilateral relations, the Government decided that Deputy Prime Minister Aso would attend the events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Singapore.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Prime Minister’s address at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony this morning. Unlike last year and the previous year the Prime Minister did not mention “firmly upholding the ‘Three Non-Nuclear Principles’” in his address this year. Could you tell us the reason for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In his address today the Prime Minister stated that as the only country to have ever experienced the horror of nuclear devastations in war, Japan has an important mission of realizing a world free of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Abe also stated his resolve to lead efforts in the international community towards the realization of this mission. Our commitment to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” remains absolutely unchanged.

REPORTER: Reference to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” has always been made by Prime Ministers in their addresses to date, including Prime Minister Abe himself. What deliberations and discussions were involved in the compilation of the Prime Minister’s address this year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, it is exactly as the Prime Minister stated. Furthermore, in his address the Prime Minister announced that this autumn the Government of Japan will submit a new draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear weapons at the United Nations General Assembly. The Government’s concept is to submit a new draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear weapons to the United Nations General Assembly that is appropriate for the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and to continue to promote international efforts towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through major international conferences, such as the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic, concerning the statement on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. This evening the report of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century is scheduled to be submitted to the Prime Minister. In what direction will the Government proceed with the final drafting work towards making a final decision on the statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the report of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century is scheduled to be submitted today, and the Prime Minister will make an appropriate decision on the content of the statement making due reference to this report.

(Abridged)