Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the abduction issue. Today marks exactly one year since North Korea notified that it would aim to submit all results of its reinvestigation in around one year. While this was asked yesterday as well, can you once again tell us what you think of the current situation and the fact that North Korea still has not notified the results?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government considers that the abduction issue is a critically important issue that concerns the sovereignty of Japan as well as the lives and safety of the Japanese people. For this reason, the Abe administration identifies this issue as a top priority. Under these circumstances, it is extremely regrettable that no clear prospects are in sight today, more than one year after the investigation was started following the launch of the Special Investigation Committee. As such, in August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea to address this matter. In this sense, the Government is making earnest efforts to get North Korea to take concrete action. In any case, the investigation is based on the agreement between Japan and North Korea, and therefore, the Government will remain fully committed to realizing the return to Japan of all victims of abduction as quickly as possible.

REPORTER: I have one more question in connection with this. Based on the fact that North Korea has not submitted a report on the reinvestigation, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN) are increasingly calling for the strengthening of sanctions. What is your present view regarding the strengthening of sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware that there are such views. The fact of the matter is that the Government as a whole is constantly considering what would be most effective to draw out forward-oriented and concrete actions from North Korea, while keeping an eye on its moves. The Government will continue to make every effort to realize the return to Japan of all victims of abduction in every possible way, while consistently upholding the principles of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action.”

REPORTER: I have a related question. It is about the abduction issue. Some members of the AFVKN and LDP have opined that Japan should demand the report by setting a deadline. What is your opinion on this? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are fully aware that such views have been expressed and that they have been expressed strongly. Such views exist, while there are also different views. In this context, as I stated a short while ago, the Government as a whole is constantly considering what would be most effective to draw out concrete actions from North Korea. In any case, the administration identifies this issue as a top priority and is making its strongest efforts to address it.

REPORTER: I understand that the Prime Minister will attend the United Nations General Assembly session that will be held at the end of this month. President Xi Jinping of China and President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea will also be attending. Will the Prime Minister have contact with such people there in one form or another?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Nothing is yet confirmed at this point in time.