Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. It has been announced that the U.S. Forces conducted an airstrike in Syria targeting the man appearing in the video that claims to show the murder of freelance journalist Mr. Kenji Goto. Have you been notified of the facts by the U.S. Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, according to an announcement made by the Department of Defense, an airstrike was conducted against this individual in Syria, and the United States is currently assessing the results of the airstrike and will provide additional information as and where appropriate. The Government of Japan is closely following the developments related to this matter. In any case, with regard to this matter, at this stage, the police are continuing to appropriately conduct the required investigations in order to uncover the truth of the murders of Mr. Goto and Mr. Yukawa. The Government is further confirming the facts with the United States.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. I have a question regarding the general elections in Myanmar. According to the voting results released by the Union Election Commission, the largest opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won a majority of the seats in both the lower and upper houses. A change in government is set to take place as early as next week. Can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, while the results are not final for all the constituencies, I understand that as of now the NLD has captured a majority of the total seats. Furthermore, according to the announcements of the President Office and the Armed Forces, President Thein Sein and Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing of the Armed Forces, respectively, will hold consultations with NLD President Aung San Suu Kyi after the final election results are out. Japan welcomes the moves towards dialogue by the parties. We hope that the transfer of power is conducted peacefully and that Myanmar’s democratization and reforms make further advances as stated in the announcement by the President Office. Japan intends to continue to further deepen its traditionally friendly and cooperative relations with Myanmar.