Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different topic, I have a question concerning nuclear disarmament. At the United Nations Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Nuclear Disarmament held in Switzerland recently, Mexico called for nations to adopt a treaty that legally bans nuclear weapons. Japan is opposed to such a treaty. Can I ask the reason why this is the case and what is Japan’s basic stance with regard to realizing a world without nuclear weapons?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the OEWG, this body meets to discuss diverse approaches to effective measures on nuclear disarmament. In this working group, Japan is the only country to have suffered nuclear bombing in war time and in the promotion of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation we are emphasizing the necessity for realistic and practical measures between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States, based on our accurate understanding of the realities of nuclear bombing and a calm recognition of the severe security situation surrounding Japan. In the OEWG to date, the participating countries have issued proposals towards the realization of a world without nuclear weapons. For Japan, the matter of utmost importance, whichever measure or method is used, is to advance nuclear disarmament with the involvement and cooperation of both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. The Government believes that such an approach would provide a shorter route to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You have just noted that an approach through realistic and concrete measures would provide a shorter route. To date, Japan has taken the stance of not seeking an outright legal ban on nuclear weapons. Is this stance in any way related to Japan being under the nuclear umbrella of the United States in security terms?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That view is entirely mistaken. Japan’s basic stance towards the realization of a world without nuclear weapons places importance on realistic and practical measures, based on an accurate understanding of the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and a calm recognition of the severe security environment. As I just noted, it is based on this concept that the Government believes it to be important for realistic and practical measures to be implemented that would enable cooperation between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States towards the realization of a world without nuclear weapons. We are taking the lead in the international community on measures towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We will continue to highlight the importance of such a concept to the international community.

REPORTER: I have a related question, concerning President Obama’s visit to Hiroshima. In an interview with CNN, Susan Rice, the United States National Security Adviser has interestingly noted that Japan has not sought a reassessment or apology for the dropping of the nuclear bomb. In a written response to the Diet, approved by the Cabinet, Prime Minister Abe has stated that rather than seeking an apology or expressions of remorse or issuing a protest, it is more important to engage in realistic and steady efforts towards nuclear disarmament. In terms of an approach to realizing a world without nuclear weapons, could you tell us why the Government has judged it to be more beneficial not to seek an apology or expressions of remorse and not to issue a protest, but rather to call for realistic and steady efforts for nuclear disarmament through the forum of the United Nations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to make clear that the two issues of not seeking an apology and discussion of a legal ban on nuclear weapons are entirely unrelated. For the past 70 years of the post-war period, rather than seeking an apology, Japan has sought to work with the Government of the United States to ensure that the immense humanitarian tragedy that is caused by nuclear weapons never occurs again. To that end, the Government considers it to be important to engage in realistic and steady efforts towards the realization of a safe and peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

REPORTER: I have one more question. You have just noted that the legal aspects of the two issues are unrelated. I would like to confirm whether the Government considers that the dropping of the nuclear bombs in the war cannot be said in certain terms to contravene international laws?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As a means of sending out a strong message towards the realization of a world without nuclear weapons, the Government would like to sincerely welcome the wish of President Obama to visit Hiroshima, 70 years after the end of the war. Our position is that it is of the utmost importance for Japan and the United States to work together to create a peaceful and safe world without nuclear weapons so that the immense humanitarian tragedy that is caused by nuclear weapons never occurs again.

(Abridged)