Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As 

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. Yesterday, the trial of the former Seoul Bureau Chief of the Sankei Shimbun was held in Seoul in the Republic of Korea (ROK) at which the ruling was delivered. He was found not guilty. Can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I praise the fact that such a judgment was rendered from the viewpoint of Japan-ROK relations. I hope that the judgment will have a positive impact on deepening Japan-ROK relations.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Ahead of yesterday’s trial, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK submitted a document requesting the court to take appropriate steps in consideration of Japan-ROK relations. From the standpoint of separation of powers, it can be said that this was an unprecedented move. Do you perceive that the not guilty verdict contained a political message from the ROK Government aimed at improving Japan-ROK relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this concerns the process of the rendering of a court judgment in another country, the Government would like to refrain from making comments. That said, it is true that the Japanese Government repeatedly urged the ROK side to take appropriate responses from the standpoint of the freedoms of the press and expression and Japan-ROK relations.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in connection with Japan-ROK relations.  Today, the 18th, marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the ROK. In the face of the various outstanding issues that exist, including the “comfort women” issue on which the two sides aim to conclude the discussions as quickly as possible, what efforts will the administration be making to bring about significant improvements in Japan-ROK relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the ROK entered into force on December 18, 1965. I believe that over the past 50 years, we have seen dialogues, exchanges, and cooperation between the people of the two countries evolve dramatically. The ROK is Japan’s most important neighboring country. In this 50th anniversary year, a Japan-ROK summit meeting was held for the first time in nearly three and a half years. In addition, I view that the two countries were able to hold exchanges of views at a variety of levels, including the business community. In this sense, it was very significant. Furthermore, it is a fact that the people of the two countries are making mutual visits. I gather that the 50th anniversary has served as an opportunity to hold various welcoming events or exchange programs in Japan and the ROK, which have strengthened the bonds of friendship. The two countries will continue to work toward building a future-oriented and multilayered relationship from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Is it possible that the Japanese side could change its stance on the comfort women issue on the basis of yesterday’s judgment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, based on the recognition that the comfort women issue is having an impact on the development of Japan-ROK relations, we consider it important that the two countries make efforts to build a future-oriented relationship so as not to allow future generations to be impaired by the issue. In this context, Director General-level talks are taking place in a persistent manner. Our existing policy has not changed at all, which is that we will continue to hold and accelerate the talks.