Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. It was decided that a signing ceremony among the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) chief ministers would be held in New Zealand on the 4th of next month. Is my understanding correct that Minister Amari would be attending this signing ceremony?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I expect that, as a matter of course, arrangements will be made in coordination with the Diet for Minister Amari to attend the ceremony. In any case, we will steadily make the arrangements at the Diet.

REPORTER: My question is in regard to TPP. The Government of New Zealand made an announcement regarding the signing ceremony on February 4. Does the Government of Japan share this understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government of the host country announced that they sent out invitations for signing the TPP Agreement in Auckland, New Zealand. Accordingly, I expect that this would be the natural course of events.

REPORTER: I have a question in connection with TPP. The process has finally reached the stage of the signing ceremony. Can you please share your comments looking back on the negotiations that have taken place thus far? In addition, as was briefly discussed moments ago, I believe the Government will be submitting TPP-related legislation during the current session of the Diet. Can you please elaborate on the Government’s upcoming steps?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There have been many twists and turns ever since the Abe administration was inaugurated and announced Japan’s participation in TPP. Nevertheless, an agreement in principle was reached, and we have finally reached the stage of actually signing the agreement on February 4. This is very significant for the future of Japan. In any event, I anticipate that following the signing of the TPP Agreement, legislation would be submitted swiftly to the Diet and deliberated.

(Abridged)