Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which is currently taking place in Hiroshima. Later today I believe that John F. Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States of America and the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and other nations will visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims. What does the Government of Japan consider the significance of this visit to be?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, it is the Government’s expectation that at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting discussions will take place on a variety of pressing issues confronting the international community, including terrorism and violent extremism, the refugee crisis, maritime security, conditions in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine, as well as issues affecting the Asian region, including North Korea and maritime security. The Government also expects that the meeting will send out a strong message of peace from Hiroshima, towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons. The outcomes of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will also contribute to the Ise-Shima Summit. With regard to the visit today, it is my belief that it is of the utmost importance to show world leaders the realities of atomic bombings and further raise momentum towards a world free of nuclear weapons. It is the Government’s hope that the foreign ministers of the attending nations will see for themselves the realities of the atomic bombing and take time to reflect.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Washington Post of the United States is reporting that, according to a senior administration official, President Obama is considering a visit to Hiroshima in May while he is in Japan, following the conclusion of the Ise-Shima Summit. The report stated that the President may spend several hours in Hiroshima and deliver a speech similar to the one he gave in Prague in 2009, calling for a world free of nuclear weapons. What is the current status of arrangements regarding this potential visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Although I am aware of the report that you mentioned, the itinerary of President Obama is something that will be determined by the Government of the United States and therefore I would like to refrain from making any comment on this matter on behalf of the Government of Japan.

REPORTER: I have a question about the economy. Today the yen has strengthened to the 107 yen range against a weaker dollar. Share prices are similarly falling. What is your view of this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: My understanding is that the basic exchange rate is showing signs of one-sided speculative trading. The stock market in Japan is also currently under downward pressure. As was confirmed by the G20, excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates can have adverse implications for economic and financial stability. The Government will closely monitor these trends in exchange rates with a sense of caution and depending on the situation the Government may take necessary measures.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. With regard to nuclear disarmament, in United Nations resolutions to date the Government has adopted a stance of expressing concern about the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. Could you tell us again of the Government’s views on the humanitarian impact of possessing nuclear weapons? Also, is there no change to the Government’s support for such a stance?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and recognition of the realities of atomic bombing, I believe it is necessary for the international community to come together in a way that transcends differences in stances and approaches to nuclear weapons. We must support all approaches that aim towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons. It is based on such a recognition that Japan, as the only country in the world to experience atomic bombings, maintains a stance of communicating the realities of the atomic bombings across generational and national boundaries and to date has promoted realistic and pragmatic measures relating to nuclear disarmament. The details of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Hiroshima Declaration on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation are currently being finalized.

REPORTER: I have a related question. As you have mentioned, this meeting is taking place against a backdrop of many areas of concern, including in the South China Sea and the Middle East, so what outcomes is the Government of Japan seeking to achieve with regard to nuclear disarmament in particular at this meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At this moment the details of a clear message are being finalized that will seek to revitalize measures towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

(Abridged)