Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will visit Japan from November 9 to 10, 2015. Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Rutte in Tokyo on November 10. The Netherlands will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) for the first half of next year. Japan has a long history of more than 400 years of exchange with the Netherlands and it is hoped that the visit will contribute to strengthening our bilateral relations and also cooperation with the EU. In particular, the Netherlands is the location of the International Court of Justice and has traditionally been a country that respects the rule of law. Through this visit the Government hopes to enhance strategic cooperation with the Netherlands, including in political and security areas. It is planned that Prime Minister Rutte will be accompanied on his visit by more than 100 representatives of private companies from the Netherlands. We therefore also hope that the visit will provide an opportunity to further enhance bilateral cooperation in economic relations.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different topic, I have a question concerning the Japan-China Defense Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting was held yesterday and with regard to the South China Sea issue it is understood that the Chinese side stated that this is not an issue that relates to Japan-China relations and requested that Japan not take any actions that would complicate the situation. By issuing this demand it is believed that China is seeking to contain the Government of Japan, which has indicated its support for the actions of the U.S. naval vessel in the region. What is the Government’s view of this statement by the Chinese side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government believes that it is of the utmost importance to secure the general principles of international law, namely freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. The Government of Japan conveyed this stance to the Chinese side in the meeting.

(Abridged)