Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Monthly Economic Report for March that was released yesterday. It states that the overall economy is on a moderate recovery, while weakness can be seen due to the effects of a slowdown in private consumption, among other factors. The Government made a downward revision of its economic assessment for the first time in five months. Some members of the Government and ruling parties are noting the need for new economic measures. Can you tell us, as of now, how the Government intends to address this through the supplementary budget or other means following the passage of the regular budget?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the current situation of the economy, we have recently seen hesitation in the mindsets of companies and consumers, and under these circumstances, private consumption has lost its strength. However, corporate earnings, as well as the employment and income situations, are continuing to improve. For these reasons, the economy is on a moderate recovery. This understanding remains unchanged. In addition, given that the situation is as I just stated, first, we will swiftly and steadily implement the FY2015 supplementary budget. Furthermore, we will seek to pass the new fiscal year’s draft budget, currently being deliberated at the Diet, as quickly as possible. It is critically important that by doing so, we set into motion various policies targeting the economy.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the topic. A Japanese man is being detained by Turkish authorities for attempting to join the extremist organization the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL). What does the Government know at this time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to this matter, I have been informed that the Japanese Embassy in Turkey found out from local authorities that Turkish authorities questioned a Japanese man in his 20s. At this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has an evacuation warning in place, including a travel ban, for all of Syria and the area bordering Syria on the Turkish side. MOFA advises that no Japanese national should enter Syria. It is true that if we have concrete information about Japanese nationals wishing to travel to Syria, we try to persuade them individually to cancel their travel plans.

REPORTER: You stated that the Japanese national was questioned. I assume that he was questioned because of some kind of suspicious activity. What have you been told about this exactly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are now confirming the details.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You stated that if there are people who wish to travel to Syria, the Government tries to convince them not to do so. Did the Government try to convince this particular man to refrain from traveling to Turkey prior to his travel there?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I will refrain from commenting about this. That said, we are communicating that Syria is the most dangerous of all of the countries MOFA identifies as dangerous. The Government had no prior knowledge of this Japanese national in question.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question related to the terror attacks in Belgium. Yesterday, it was announced that one Japanese national sustained serious injuries and one Japanese national sustained minor injuries. Have there been any updates since then regarding the conditions of these two individuals or the number of Japanese people who are injured?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the individual who sustained minor injuries is Mr. Minoru Hino. I have been informed that he sustained a minor leg injury but that he is headed to recovery. The individual who is seriously injured is a man in his 30s. He is a Japanese national who lives in Belgium. I have been informed that he is unconscious but that he is in a stable condition.