Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: A happy New Year to you. I have a question concerning Middle East issues. Iran and Saudi Arabia have broken off diplomatic relations following Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shia leader. This incident is escalating and has embroiled other countries in the region. Could I ask how the Government of Japan perceives this issue and how it will respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is concerned about deteriorating relations between Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, and Iran. The Government will urge all parties to exercise self-restraint, diffuse the situation through dialogue, and resolve the issue peacefully for the stability of the Middle East region and the world.

REPORTER: I have a related question. There are concerns that this confrontation between the two major powers in the region could destabilize efforts towards peace in Syria and measures against ISIL. There are also concerns that the situation could lead to a surge in crude oil prices and impact stock markets. What is the Government’s view concerning the potential impact on Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have just stated, Japan places the utmost importance on stability in the Middle East and will be cooperating with the international community to strongly urge all parties to exercise self-restraint and seek to diffuse the situation through dialogue. As Japan relies on the Middle East region for much of its oil, the Government will be calling strongly for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

REPORTER: You have just stated that the Government will be calling strongly for the maintenance of peace and security. In specific terms, how does the Government intend to make such calls?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Through various diplomatic channels the Government will be calling on both countries to ensure that the parties concerned exercise self-restraint and make efforts to diffuse the situation through dialogue. At the same time, the Government will also make the same call to other countries concerned.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the comfort women issue. A statement was also made on television yesterday concerning this issue, but the Office of the President of Taiwan has indicated that following the agreement reached between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) last year, it will continue to call for negotiations with Japan based on its consistent stance of seeking an official apology and compensation for former comfort women in Taiwan. What is the current status of these calls for negotiations from Taiwan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, based on the mutual recognition with the ROK that the comfort women issue was affecting the development of bilateral relations, in the recent Japan-ROK summit meeting it was agreed to accelerate consultations on this issue with a view to reaching a conclusion in the milestone year of the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations. As a result of this agreement, at the foreign ministers’ meeting on December 28, and following further summit-level telephone talks, it was possible for both countries to reach a final and irreversible resolution with regard to this issue. As for countries and regions other than the ROK, including Taiwan, my understanding is that right up to the present day the Government has responded sincerely, based on individual circumstances. Given this situation, I would like to refrain from talking specifically about individual interactions with Taiwan on this issue.

REPORTER: You have just stated that Japan has responded sincerely right up to the present day, so if it were to be the case that a request for negotiations was received, would the response made by the Government differ from that made to the ROK, given the different situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government has been making a response up to the present through such measures as the Asian Women’s Fund. In that sense the circumstances are different to those of the ROK and therefore the Government has sincerely responded right up to the present day, based on individual circumstances.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the removal of the comfort women statue located in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. In his press conference yesterday Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida stated that based on the exchanges between Japan and the ROK up to now as well as the comments made at the joint press conference, it was his understanding that the statue would be appropriately relocated. In response the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK has issued a comment that the statue was installed by a private organization and that it is not a matter that the Government of the ROK can simply address. Therefore, for the smooth implementation of the agreement, Japan should not take any further action that could cause misunderstanding. What is the Government’s view of this comment and what response will be made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, this agreement was announced in a joint press conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK. The content of the agreement is exactly as it was announced, nothing more and nothing less. The Government of the ROK has announced that it acknowledges the Government of Japan’s concerns and will strive to solve this issue in an appropriate manner. My recognition is that in accordance with the agreement, the Government of the ROK will make efforts to solve this issue in an appropriate manner.

(Abridged)