Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the Takeshima issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) issued a statement protesting the Japanese Government’s dispatch of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office Yasuyuki Sakai to Shimane Prefecture’s Takeshima Day ceremony. First can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the issue with the ROK, up to this point the Government has undertaken various studies and preparations based on our intention to seek the settlement of the Takeshima issue on the basis of the law in a calm and peaceful manner. In this regard, Japan will clearly convey to the ROK side that Japan will not accept what Japan cannot accept, and deal with it calmly and persistently from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: Shimane Prefecture has repeatedly requested the Government to host a Takeshima Day ceremony. How does the Government perceive the Prefecture’s request and how will the Government respond to it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the relevant Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office has attended the Takeshima Day ceremony hosted by Shimane Prefecture since 2013. As for the Government holding a Takeshima Day ceremony, the Government seeks to deal with it appropriately by taking into account various circumstances.

REPORTER: It is regarded that the ROK has steadily strengthened its effective control over Takeshima and that there is no prospect in sight for making a breakthrough in the situation. Does Japan have or does it not have the intention to seek settlement at the level of the countries’ leaders or foreign ministers?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan will continue to seek the settlement of this issue on the basis of international law in a calm and peaceful manner. As I stated a short while ago, our basic stance is to clearly convey to the ROK side that Japan will not accept what Japan cannot accept and carry out negotiations in a persistent manner from a broad perspective.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding U.S.-North Korea relations. The U.S. Department of State has revealed that North Korea proposed to hold dialogues for concluding a peace agreement for the Korean War. When the United States requested that North Korea’s denuclearization be included in the agenda, North Korea refused. While Japan is an external party, this matter is directly linked to the security of Japan. Can you please tell us what information the Government is aware of and what its views are?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware of the news reports you have referred to, but I would like to refrain from commenting on each and every news report. Having said so, it is critically important that North Korea demonstrates a serious intention and takes concrete actions toward denuclearization. Japan’s position remains entirely unchanged that in close cooperation with the relevant countries, including the United States and the ROK, Japan will continue to strongly urge North Korea to refrain from provocations and implement the relevant Security Council resolutions as well as the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks faithfully and fully.

(Abridged)