Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

1. Opening remarks by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

The International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR), which consists of authorities that supervise certified public accountants and auditing firms from various countries and regions, decided at its plenary meeting held in London to establish a permanent IFIAR Secretariat in Tokyo. I think the establishment of a permanent IFIAR Secretariat in Tokyo is very important for strengthening Japan’s international presence and boosting the status of the Tokyo market as an international financial center. Japan conducted recruitment activities in a unified manner with the Financial Services Agency and Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board as primary advocates and close cooperation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Besides the Government’s initiatives, support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, private-sector economic groups, and others had a major role in successful enticement of a permanent IFIAR Secretariat to Tokyo. I would like to express deep gratitude to everyone involved. Japan intends to continue to actively contribute to the further advancement, promotion, and growth of IFIAR as an international entity and enhancement of global auditing quality after establishment of the permanent IFIAR Secretariat in Tokyo. Please contact the Financial Services Agency and Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board for details.

The Cabinet agreed to invite H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, as an official state guest from May 11 to 14 at today’s meeting. During the visit, His Majesty the Emperor will meet with Prime Minister Jaber and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will also meet with Prime Minister Jaber and host a dinner event. Kuwait is an important energy supplier to Japan, and the two countries have built a friendly relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961. Japan also received top-level assistance from Kuwait at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, including new railway cars for the Sanriku Railway Minami-Riasu Line. The Government hopes that Prime Minister Jaber’s visit to Japan will further strengthen ties and the cooperative relationship between our two countries.

2. Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question related to orders placement for Australia’s next-generation submarine project. An Australian newspaper is reporting that Prime Minister Abe called Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to promote Japan. Please explain the related facts. 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This is not true.

REPORTER: The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression recently held a press conference in Tokyo and suggested that removal of the explanation of the comfort women issue from school textbooks reflects political motives in Japan’s textbook authorization process. Please explain the Government’s reaction.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think the Special Rapporteur did not sufficiently cover many points explained by the Government. The Government carefully explained the method of authorizing textbooks that you mentioned. It is very unfortunate that the Government’s explanation was not sufficiently reflected in the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations and opinions. In any case, Japan intends to thoroughly explain its stance and provide comments to ensure that the report by the Special Rapporteur slated for submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council during fiscal 2017 is objective and based on the facts.

REPORTER: If it has been decided, could you indicate when the meeting with Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to take place during the visit by Kuwait’s Prime Minister Jaber to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government plans to arrange the schedule within the days mentioned above, and details have not been finalized at this point.

(Abridged)