Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, a meeting of the Headquarters for North Korean Abductions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was held. Following the meeting, Chairman Keiji Furuya spoke to members of the press and stated that he had discussed with you the content of proposed sanctions to be implemented independently by Japan. Could you tell us about the status of considerations about such sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, Chairman Furuya has led the drafting process in the Headquarters for North Korean Abductions and a proposal was already formulated prior to the recent nuclear test. The current situation is that the Government is referring to proposals such as the one formulated by the LDP, and is considering the implementation of independent measures against North Korea, taking developments in the international community into account.

REPORTER: I have a point of confirmation. I believe that the proposal drafted by the LDP contains 13 items, so will the Government consider which of these would be effective and select them for implementation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Chairman Furuya has previously served as the Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue in the Abe Cabinet, and he is therefore well aware of what sort of response is needed and what would be effective. In any event, at the current stage, the Government is considering various options, including taking its own independent measures, while monitoring such factors as the attitude taken by North Korea and moves in the international community.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) bilateral currency swap arrangement. There are press reports that for the foreseeable future there is not likely to be any request from the ROK to Japan to re-implement a currency swap. Is there any possibility that Japan would make a request to the ROK? In the past you have stated that the Government would cooperate appropriately if the need were to arise.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to economic and financial matters, both Japan and the ROK are utilizing bilateral and multilateral frameworks and are already monitoring developments in the global economy. Therefore, given this situation, an appropriate response would be made, should the need arise.

REPORTER: When you say that an appropriate response would be made should the need arise, are we to understand that this refers to a case in which a request is made by the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Bilateral discussions take place as a matter of course while the two countries monitor economic developments. Therefore, if the necessity arose on the bilateral level, I believe that an appropriate response would be made. However, at the current point, there are no specific discussions on re-implementing the currency swap arrangement and neither has the Government decided any kind of policy.