Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding yesterday’s news. It has come to light that Russia is building a total of 392 military-related facilities on both Etorofu Island and Kunashiri Island. It is speculated that this move is also aimed at keeping in check Japan, which is requesting the return of the Northern Territories. How will the Government be dealing with this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I am aware that Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu of Russia commented on a variety of matters, and that in this context, he mentioned the establishment of military zones on Etorofu and Kunashiri Islands. The Government is closely following Russia’s moves on the Four Northern Islands, and will deal with the situation appropriately.

REPORTER: On the 1st, the Governments of the United States and China agreed to establish guidelines and a hotline related to cracking down on cyberspace crimes. It is said that many of the foreign cyber attacks against Japan come from China. Under these circumstances, what is your opinion on the impact to Japan of the establishment of this U.S.-China hotline?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, as this concerns exchanges between external countries, I would like to refrain from commenting from the position of the Government. That said, however, cyber issues are shared concerns among the international community, including Japan. Recently, Japan has been subject to frequent cyber attacks which have hit key infrastructures of government agencies and other entities, as well as companies. From this viewpoint, Japan and the United States are collaborating through their cyber dialogue forum. In addition, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea are making use of their cyber dialogue forum to take earnest steps, such as for applying existing international law, creating new norms, and building up trust.

(Abridged)