Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Marine Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers currently on a training voyage today made a first-ever port call at Cam Ranh Bay, a key military site in Vietnam. What are your thoughts about the significance of the port call from a security perspective?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think you are referring to an ocean-going training voyage by the MSDF’s Officer Candidate School. Japan and Vietnam agreed to strengthen cooperation in the defense area at the Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers Meeting held in November 2015, and I have been told that this port call to Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay international port utilized the opportunity of the training voyage in light of the agreement.

REPORTER: Some observers are suggesting that this port call aims to curtail China’s steady efforts to militarize the South China Sea. What are your thoughts on this view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The port call is not at all aimed at any particular region or country.

REPORTER: Niigata Prefecture’s technology committee yesterday submitted a request to the independent panel formed by TEPCO to conduct a thorough investigation of the issue that TEPCO knew that a meltdown had taken place within three days after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It was also reported yesterday that TEPCO employees acknowledged that they were aware of the determination criteria, and citizens with an interest in the matter are expressing concern. Does the Government intend to encourage TECPO and the independent panel to proceed with a thorough investigation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I think it is very important for nuclear plants to secure the understanding of the local area and the trust of the Japanese people. Regarding TEPCO’s manual on a meltdown of the reactor core, TEPCO has already formed an independent panel of external experts and started the investigation, and I expect this process to clarify the facts. I also anticipate that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will offer suitable guidance.

 (Abridged)