Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21). I know the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Paris and Luxembourg, but could you tell us the status of arrangements for bilateral summit meetings and which countries the Government is seeking to hold talks with?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the current point nothing has been decided and arrangements are still in the process of being coordinated.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In summit meetings with world leaders it is expected that in addition to climate change issues, counterterrorism measures will also be raised, given the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. What sort of message is the Government seeking to convey about the contribution that Japan can make in anti-terrorism measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, COP21 is being held in the immediate wake of the recent terrorist attacks and therefore it can be expected that it will be an issue of major concern for the world leaders who are attending the conference. Responding to such extremely outrageous acts of terrorism that occur around the world is a common challenge for all countries that share the same values. Accordingly, Japan’s basic stance is to resolutely condemn such acts and to work in close cooperation with the international community to prevent terrorism. This is a stance that I expect will be shared by the attending world leaders. In such circumstances it is of the utmost importance for the relevant countries to share information and I imagine that various issues will be discussed, including border control strategies and others.

(Abridged)