Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: A short while ago, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko held talks with Mr. Yuriy Petrovich Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. I understand that the main topics were the development of the Far East and economic cooperation. However, there is also the Northern Territories issue between the two countries. What are your expectations with regard to deepening the bilateral relationship?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been informed that the purpose of Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev’s visit to Japan was mainly to exchange views with Japan regarding Japan-Russia economic relations, including the development of the Far East. In any case, based on the recent Japan-Russia summit meeting in Sochi, the Government of Japan will make efforts to deepen the bilateral relationship in a wide range of sectors in a manner that contributes to national interests, and in this process, continue to hold consistent negotiations with Russia to conclude a peace treaty by solving the issue of the return of the four islands.

(Abridged)