Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning UNESCO. Yesterday, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hase stated that he had received instructions from you to engage in cooperative efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including in terms of personnel and staffing, to work strategically and from a long-term perspective on the inscription system for the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. What did you have specifically in mind when you issued these instructions, in which you included personnel affairs and staffing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I received a report from Minister Hase concerning the results of the UNESCO General Conference. In specific terms, he reported that he had held a meeting with Director General Irina Bokova of UNESCO, in which he reiterated Japan’s extreme regret concerning the inscription of documents relating to the “Nanjing Incident” on the Memory of the World Register. Minister Hase shared his recognition with Director General Bokova concerning the need to improve the system for inscription, including ways to enhance transparency of the Memory of the World program. I hear that Director General Bokova confirmed that measures have been implemented to consider revisions to the inscription process. In any event, the Government will continue to strongly request UNESCO to prevent political use of its programs by ensuring their transparency and impartiality. Furthermore, the Government will make concerted efforts in this regard in cooperation with countries concerned. It is the Government’s opinion that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology should cooperate with each other and dispatch personnel to work within the UNESCO organization.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A summit meeting was held between China and Taiwan at the weekend. The cross-straits relationship between China and Taiwan has a significant impact on the regional situation, so can I ask for the views of the Government of Japan on this summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, there have been press reports that a summit meeting between China and Taiwan has taken place. It has been the Government of Japan’s consistent and long-held hope that the parties concerned would reach a peaceful resolution on the Taiwan issue through direct dialogue. The Government will closely monitor developments to see if this recent meeting leads to the peaceful resolution that Japan hopes for. While the Government hopes that moves between China and Taiwan will contribute to regional peace and stability, we will continue to carefully monitor future developments.

(Abridged)