Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Nobuteru Ishihara delivered his policy statement on the economy at a full session of the House of Representatives. I think you heard the policy statement at the full session. Please tell us your thoughts, including in regards to his subsequent answers to questions.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: To begin, I felt that Minister Ishihara’s speech confirmed that he intends to advance Abenomics and genuinely continue the policies of former Minister Amari, particularly in his comments about bolstering the virtuous cycle of growth and distribution through integrated implementation of the three new arrows. I believe that he will reliably contribute to advancement of the Abe administration’s economic policies. Additionally, I think he gave a solid explanation of his aims as the Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization in the National Diet question and answer period.

REPORTER: The Budget Committee starts hearings from tomorrow. There are some members of the ruling coalition expressing concerns about Minister Ishihara’s answers. Does the Administration share these misgivings or worries? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are not worried at all. There is no concern about this point since Mr. Ishihara has served as the Secretary-General and Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) as well as in multiple Minister positions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Has there been any change in signs of North Korea’s activities related to a missile launch?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Regarding North Korea’s missile launch, the Government continues to be fully prepared to respond to any type of circumstances.

REPORTER: This is related. I think the Government is moving forward with PAC3 deployments and other measures. Is this because of heightening tension or is it more part of being prepared for any circumstances.     

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is always collecting and analyzing information on this type of missile launch and other activities by North Korea, and prepares its capabilities with the aim of doing what is necessary to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people. I would like to refrain from discussing the specific content of preparations because it would reveal our plans.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: This question is related to North Korea’s missiles. Concerns might spread, mainly among residents of urban areas, in light of PAC3 systems mainly being deployed in Tokyo and Chiba and the prospect of North Korea not giving an advance notification and other aspects. What type of explanation or announcement is the Government considering once it has obtained specific information on signs of the missile launch?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the Government is currently fully prepared from the standpoint that it has a responsibility to protect the lives of all Japanese people no matter where they live, rather than just focusing on the Tokyo metropolitan area. This is what we are doing. If North Korea launches a missile and there is potential to have an impact on Japan, the Government uses Em-Net to issue information to administration entities and media outlets. It also utilizes J-ALERT to transmit information to related areas.