Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Japan-U.S.-ROK Heads of Delegation Meeting of the Six Party Talks regarding North Korea will be held today. What discussions do you expect will take place at the meeting? In addition, I observe that China is being asked to play an active role in this issue. What efforts do you consider necessary in order to encourage China to take initiative?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Japan-U.S.-ROK Heads of Delegation Meeting of the Six Party Talks will be held in Seoul from this late afternoon. In addition, a Japan-U.S.-ROK Vice-Ministerial Consultation will be held in Tokyo on Saturday the 16th. The nuclear test conducted by North Korea constitutes an extremely grave threat to the security of Japan, and is totally unacceptable. In this context, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Japan is collaborating with the countries concerned, including the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), to take a resolute and determined response against North Korea alongside the response of the Security Council. Against this backdrop, Japan, the United States, and the ROK will take the opportunity of these trilateral consultations to coordinate closely and discuss a variety of issues, including the response to the North Korea issue.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. It is about Japan’s own sanctions against North Korea. Today, President Park Geun-hye of the ROK issued a statement saying that the ROK will take effective sanctions, bilaterally and in collaboration with its partner countries, which will place pressure on North Korea. Can you once again explain how Japan will arrange its bilateral sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have often stated in regard to this, Japan is studying own sanctions and other measures while taking into consideration the response of the UN Security Council, strengthening cooperation with the countries concerned, and bearing in mind the response of North Korea and the activities of the international community. Japan intends to take a resolute and determined response against North Korea.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question is in regard to the press conference given by President Park Geun-hye of the ROK. The President expressed the view that the Japan-ROK agreement regarding the comfort women issue was appropriate, and hinted at the possibility of directly meeting with the former comfort women. How do you regard the President’s stance?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, it is critically important that Japan and the ROK steadily implement the agreement reached on December 28 of last year regarding these issues between the two countries. As the Prime Minister has stated in his response to questions at the Diet, it is important that both countries make efforts to translate the agreement into action in accordance with the agreement.

REPORTER: A related question. At the same time, the President stated that if Japan continues to make statements and take actions that offend the former comfort women, it would be difficult to gain the support of the people of the ROK. The President noted that both sides need to make efforts. How does Japan intend to answer to the remarks of the President?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What was agreed upon at the foreign ministers’ meeting says it all. It is important that actions are executed in good faith and in accordance with the agreement.

(Abridged)