Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the commemorative event in China. An event commemorating the ‘‘70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression’’ has gotten under way in Beijing, China. The event will include a military parade. Can you please share the Government’s comments regarding this event?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government would like to refrain from making comments. In any case, we are closely following the relevant activities. Seventy years after the end of World War II, we hope that China will display its readiness to tackle the common issues facing the international community in a future-oriented manner, rather than overly focusing on the past misfortunes of history. We have conveyed these views of Japan to the Chinese side.

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REPORTER: I have a question concerning Russia. Mr. Igor Vladimirovich Morgulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, stated in an interview with a news agency that Russia has no intention to hold talks on the Northern Territories with Japan. May I ask you to comment on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, a peace treaty has not been concluded between Japan and Russia. In this context, what is at the heart of the negotiations for concluding a peace treaty is the territorial issue over the attribution of the Four Northern Islands. This is the fact of the matter. Japan cannot accept in any way Russia’s assertion that the Four Northern Islands became Russian territory as a result of World War II. Prime Minister Abe and President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement in April 2013. The statement was released based on the recognition that the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands remains unresolved. In the statement, the two leaders agreed to proceed with the negotiations to conclude a peace treaty on the basis of all documents and agreements adopted by the two sides so far. Russia’s comments that the territorial issue was resolved 70 years ago and that no dialogue was conducted on the territorial issue clearly contradict the agreement between the two leaders as well as the negotiation process thus far. Japan therefore considers that the comments are wholly unacceptable.
 
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