Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 2 general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, I made a statement concerning the itinerary of the State Visit by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to the Philippines. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits.

Q&As

REPORTER: As a countermeasure to the nuclear test by North Korea, from noon today the Republic of Korea (ROK) will be recommencing radio broadcasts across the military demarcation line with North Korea. Given the concerns about an escalation in North-South tensions on the Korean Peninsula, could I ask for the Government’s view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, in response to the nuclear test conducted by North Korea, every effort is currently being made to draft a new United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution. Given that this matter is one that relates to the security of the ROK, my understanding is that the resumption of radio broadcasts is one of various response measures.

REPORTER: On a related note, what kind of schedule does the Government have in mind towards the drafting, submission and swift adoption of a resolution by the UNSC?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, until now, the UNSC has issued a press statement announcing that it will immediately begin work on further significant measures in the form of a new UNSC resolution. The countries concerned in the UNSC are currently engaged in bilateral consultations and are communicating with each other. The Government of Japan is cooperating closely with countries concerned so that a strong new resolution can be adopted swiftly, and we will continue to engage actively in work at the UNSC.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a further related question. In a recent press conference, Minister of Defense Nakatani has expressed doubts about North Korea’s claims that a hydrogen bomb test was conducted successfully, stating that, “it is regarded unlikely that a general hydrogen bomb test was conducted.” Could you tell us the Government’s view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, North Korea has announced a successful hydrogen bomb test. In response to this announcement, Japan is cooperating closely with the countries concerned, including the United States and the ROK, and is continuing to engage in analysis and evaluation. It is a fact that in view of the size of the earthquake, it is regarded unlikely that a general hydrogen bomb test was conducted. At the same time, however, this marks North Korea's fourth nuclear test, and it is therefore also a fact that North Korea is believed to have considerable technological maturity in nuclear development. As various scenarios could be considered, the possibility cannot be denied that for test purposes, the bomb was made smaller than a normal hydrogen bomb. The Government therefore believes that further analysis needs to be conducted. However, in view of the size of the earthquake, I believe that it is recognized as being unlikely that a general hydrogen bomb test was conducted, although this cannot be confirmed.

REPORTER: On a different topic, according to some press reports, the Government has decided to postpone the submission of Japan-India Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy to the current Diet session. Could you tell us the current status?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, at the recent Japan-India summit meeting, agreement was reached in principle on the Japan-India Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which was made clear in a memorandum. The memorandum also makes clear that the Agreement will be signed after the technical details are finalized, including those related to the necessary internal procedures. With regard to the timing of the signing of the Agreement and its submission to the Diet, coordination still needs to be implemented on the drafting of the Agreement and the final wording has not yet been decided at the current time. It is not a case of the submission being postponed, but rather, as was initially agreed, that work still needs to be carried out.

(Abridged)