Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about your upcoming visit to Guam, which relates to a topic a little different to the purpose of your visit on this occasion. As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and you have often stated that efforts should be promoted to recover the remains of the war dead and you are also scheduled to visit a memorial park for the war dead, do you intend to make any kind of statement regarding recovery of remains of the war dead?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, it goes without saying that we bear an important role in efforts to recover the remains of those who fought for Japan. It is with that in mind, that I would like to meet with persons engaged in such efforts in Guam and listen seriously to what they have to say.

REPORTER: With regard to the passage of a United States destroyer close to the artificial islands in the South China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has criticized the move, claiming that it was an illegal entry into waters without the permission of the Chinese government. What impact do you think U.S.-China relations will have on Japan from now on?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I do not think that I should make any comment about specific U.S. military operations. If I were to say anything further, it would be to repeat what I have stated previously, namely that taking unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions by undertaking large-scale land reclamation or the construction of bases in the South China Sea is a matter of shared concern for the international community. The Government has consistently maintained the stance that it is extremely important for the international community to coordinate in order to preserve open, free and peaceful seas. We will continue to engage in close exchange of information with the United States as we respond to this matter.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has severely criticized the actions of the United States as threatening China’s sovereignty and security interests. What are your thoughts regarding this criticism by the Chinese foreign ministry?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has continued to assert that “taking unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions is a matter of shared concern for the international community.” In any event, the Government considers it to be important to continue to coordinate with the international community in order to preserve open, free and peaceful seas.

(Abridged)