Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question about the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council meeting with Professor Paul Krugman as a speaker held on March 22. Mr. Krugman disclosed proceedings of discussions from the meeting on the Internet. Has the Government confirmed this disclosure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware from the Government’s confirmation of the media report that Mr. Krugman placed a memo related to his own comments from discussions at the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council meeting held on March 22 on his web page. My understanding is that the document on the web page is Mr. Krugman’s personal memo and was not prepared by the Government.

REPORTER: This is a related question. Proceedings disclosed by Mr. Krugman on the Internet contain questions from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe specifically noted to be “off the record,” and the moderator requests at the end that the content of the exchange be treated as confidential. What are your thoughts about the disclosure of this type of detailed interaction despite the confidentiality request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Proceedings from the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council meetings are not being disclosed from a standpoint of ensuring frank opinion exchanges. The Government intends to prepare and disclose a summary of proceedings at a later date after confirming the content with speakers and obtaining their consent, and given this plan, I would like to refrain from commenting here on what type of exchanges took place. The Government plans to sufficiently disclose the content of the Assessment Council meetings later on based on this approach.

REPORTER: This is related. Does this mean that the Government does not have any plan to make some type of protest to Mr. Krugman?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is not planning that type of action. However, it intends to prepare a summary of proceedings at a later date after confirming content with speakers and obtaining their consent. I would like to refrain from comments on specific points here in light of this stance.

(Abbreviated)

REPORTER: Prime Minister Abe is currently visiting the United States and will be attending a Trilateral Summit Meeting between Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) later today. While response to the North Korea problem is likely to be a major topic, what type of result are you expecting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Trilateral Summit Meeting between Japan, the United States, and the ROK is scheduled to occur late tonight Japan time. Japan obviously hopes to confirm shared awareness of growing difficulties for East Asia security, including North Korea’s nuclear problem, and cooperation with the international community at the meeting. The Government intends to make its utmost effort to resolve various concerns related to North Korea while collaborating with the United States, the ROK, and other related countries and adhering to principles of dialogue and pressure and action-for-action.