Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: A short while ago, a meeting took place between Governor Takeshi Onaga of Okinawa Prefecture and the Prime Minister and you. What sort of topics did you discuss? In addition, can you share your comments regarding the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, at the beginning of the meeting, Governor Onaga stated with a firm voice to Prime Minister Abe that the recent incident was absolutely intolerable. The Prime Minister stated that this incident should never have happened and that he was outraged by this selfish and despicable crime. The Prime Minister expressed his deepest condolences to the family members. Then, the measures that the Government has taken to date were explained. The Government takes this incident seriously. Late at night, immediately after the arrest, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida called Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, and likewise, Minister of Defense Nakatani called the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan, to lodge strong protests. In addition, the other day, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Defense Minister Nakatani held telephone talks, and the Minister expressed his strong protest. Secretary Carter extended his apologies to the victim’s family, and stated that the Department of Defense would cooperate fully with the investigation and do all it can to prevent similar incidents. The Prime Minister explained this process that has transpired. The Prime Minister noted to the effect that if a Japan-U.S. summit meeting is held, he intends to request President Barack Obama to take rigorous responses, keeping in mind the thoughts of the Japanese people.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Chief Cabinet Secretary, at the end you just stated that the Prime Minister would mention this to President Obama if such an opportunity presents itself. The G7 Summit will be held soon. I understand your comment to mean that Prime Minister Abe will hold talks with and communicate his views to President Obama on the margins of the Summit if possible. What does the Prime Minister intend to communicate to the President?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated, Japan is requesting the United States to enforce official discipline and prevent a recurrence, indeed, prevent similar incidents from occurring ever again. The Prime Minister has stated that this incident should never have happened and that he was outraged by this selfish and despicable crime. The Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to the family members. In this light, I imagine that the Prime Minister will request President Obama to take rigorous responses, keeping in mind the thoughts of the Japanese people.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject to North Korea. According to Korean Central Television, on the 21st, the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces of North Korea sent a document to military authorities of the Republic of Korea (ROK) proposing to hold working-level consultations between the ROK and North Korean military authorities. The document proposes to the ROK to hold working-level consultations as early as at the end of this month, with the aim of mitigating the military tension in the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the ROK has maintained the position that the denuclearization of North Korea must come first, indicating that it would not agree to the consultations. What is your assessment of North Korea’s objective or the response of the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of this. The Government, with the highest interest, will continue to closely follow the developments between the ROK and North Korea.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Do you assess North Korea’s proposal of such a dialogue to the ROK as a sign of the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution following North Korea’s nuclear test and so forth earlier this year? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We have not yet carefully analyzed why this action was taken. If North Korea seeks to hold meaningful dialogues to resolve the North Korean nuclear and missile issue, then it is critical that North Korea first expresses a serious intent to denuclearize itself and takes concrete actions. Japan will work closely with the ROK and the United States to deal appropriately with the issues of North Korea.   

REPORTER: Sorry to ask so many questions, but in connection with the previous question, can you tell us if North Korea has proposed new dialogues or consultations to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Not that I am aware of.

(Abridged)