Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(Abridged)

Today, following the Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters was held, at which a report on the results of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) was provided and Japan’s policy for global warming prevention measures based on the Paris Agreement was decided. In specific terms, the meeting determined the way forward for Government policy on a number of issues, including the formulation by spring of next year of a global warming prevention measures plan that will aim to achieve our goal of a 26% reduction in emissions, in addition to the formulation of a Government action plan. In the meeting, Prime Minister Abe gave instructions for the relevant ministers to engage in various investigations, including the identification of technology development issues. The Prime Minister also stated that global warming prevention measures are a top priority for the Cabinet, and that the Government will exert its best efforts to address such measures.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are reports that from April 2016 a deputy director-general-level official for cybersecurity will be newly appointed at 12 ministries and agencies. Are these reports true, and if so, what is the goal of establishing these positions, and what is the expected result of the appointments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, given the increase in cybersecurity-related incidents in recent years, the Government recognizes that information systems management and cybersecurity measures are critical and urgent issues that need to be addressed. It is with such considerations in mind that the Government has decided to newly establish a deputy director-general-level post to oversee cybersecurity measures and the promotion of further information-oriented measures beginning next fiscal year. Under this new structure, each ministry and agency will appoint an official responsible for information security as well as an official responsible for overseeing information-oriented measures in general. The Government anticipates that this will result in the formation of a strong structure that will enable the overall direction and supervision of the ministries and agencies, thus enhancing our cybersecurity measures and the promotion of information-oriented measures.

REPORTER: I would imagine that this measure is being implemented out of necessity at the ministries and agencies, but how does the Government intend to conduct information sharing amongst all Government administrative agencies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Information sharing will be of the utmost importance. The new deputy director-general-level post that will be established starting next fiscal year will be based in the Cabinet Secretariat at the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) and the National Strategy Office of Information and Communications Technology. The Government’s goal is for the new deputy director-general to act as the overall coordinator for the sharing of incident-related information and the promotion of information-oriented measures.

(Abridged)