Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different topic, I have a question about the Okinawa-related lawsuit. A short while ago the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued instructions to the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture seeking corrective measures. Can I ask how the Government expects the Governor to respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, the correction order was issued on the basis of court-mediated advice for a settlement. The Government seeks to engage in meetings with representatives of Okinawa Prefecture in the near future, based on the conditions of this settlement.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Government accepted the proposed settlement on March 4 and after the weekend was very quick to issue a correction order today. Can I ask what the aim was in issuing the order with such speed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that if you look at the content of the settlement conditions, rather than referring to it as a Government “aim,” the issuance of the order was in fact something that needed to be done. The conditions of the settlement stipulate mutual actions, for example that the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism halts the lawsuit, that the Director General of the Okinawa Defense Bureau rescinds the request for examination and suspension of execution under the Administrative Appeal Act, and that land reclamation work is immediately halted. In addition, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will issue a correction order to the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture. These procedures are all prescribed in the settlement details and as both sides have confirmed the contents I think it is a natural way for this matter to be advanced.

REPORTER: You have just stated that this is a natural way for the matter to be advanced, and yet some people in Okinawa have expressed surprise that the correction order was issued prior to any consultations with Okinawa Prefecture. What are your views on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: My understanding is that Okinawa Prefecture indicated that it was ready to reach a settlement after having confirmed all the conditions detailed in the settlement proposal. Therefore, given that on the basis of the settlement the Government would be required to halt land reclamation work, the Government selected to agree to the content of the proposal. This settlement has resulted in the reduction of what were a number of pending lawsuits to a single lawsuit that will consider the validity of the cancellation of approval for land reclamation work. Until such a time that a court ruling on this lawsuit is handed down, the Government will continue to engage in consultations on the return of Futenma Air Station and a solution to the land reclamation work. The conditions of the settlement also stipulate that when a ruling is handed down by the court, both the national and prefectural governments will abide by the ruling. It is on the basis of the settlement details that the Government made a decision.

REPORTER: I have a further related question. With regard to consultations with Okinawa Prefecture, will you yourself be engaging in such consultations, or will they be conducted at the working level?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government seeks to advance consultations at both the working and political levels. However, the basis for these consultations will be firmly based on the details of the court-mediated settlement.