Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I asked a question about this yesterday, but I would like to ask you again about U.S. monetary policy. The FRB will be making an announcement early tomorrow morning, Japan time, as to whether the United States will abandon its zero-interest-rate policy and begin raising the rate. If the United States does decide to raise the interest rate I think it will have a negative impact on Japan’s markets, including share prices. I would like to ask again if you, as Chief Cabinet Secretary, would like the FRB to approach this in a cautious manner.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that there have been discussions regarding the direction for monetary policy, including discussion about the policy interest rate. U.S. monetary policy does also have a large impact on the overall global economy so regardless of what decision is made, we hope that it will be an appropriate one that is in line with current economic trends. We will continue to monitor developments and will be watching with great interest. I would like to refrain from answering such hypothetical questions, but as I have stated many times, corporate earnings are at their highest level ever, and that and other signs lead us to believe that Japan’s economy is recovering. We will continue to closely monitor market trends in the United States and other countries.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the abduction issue. The one-year time limit for the reinvestigation is tomorrow, September 18. What are your thoughts regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has strongly demanded that all of the abductees be repatriated as swiftly as possible. In any case, we intend to move forward robustly with the negotiations to resolve the North Korea abduction issue using the policies of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action.”

(Abridged)