Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the consumption tax. During the G7 presidency press conference that was held earlier, the Prime Minister stated that he would consider the pros and cons of raising the consumption tax rate and make his decision known before the House of Councillors elections in the summer. Is it correct to understand that “before the House of Councillors elections” means before the date of the public notice of the House of Councillors elections?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I saw the Prime Minister make this comment at his press conference a short while ago. Based on this comment, I imagine that the Prime Minister will make a decision in a timely manner and at an appropriate timing before the House of Councillors elections in the summer.

(Abridged) 

REPORTER: My question is related to the previous question. It is about the process of examining the handling of the consumption tax. Today, during his press conference, the Prime Minister stated that Japan, as the G7 President, would contribute to the growth of the world economy and would mobilize a range of policies. The Prime Minister stated that so far as this “range of policies” is concerned, it of course includes examining the handling of the consumption tax. I understand that Japan will be examining the handling of the consumption tax in the context of Japan’s contribution to world economic growth. If so, does this mean that the Prime Minister will determine whether or not to increase the consumption tax based on not only the criteria for judgment he has been referring to, namely, whether the situation is on the scale of the global financial crisis or a major earthquake disaster, but also Japan’s contribution to world economic growth?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I also watched the Prime Minister’s press conference on television. During the press conference, the Prime Minister mentioned “a range of policies.” The Prime Minister stated that the consideration of a range of policies of course includes examining the handling of the consumption tax, but that a conclusion has not been reached at this point in time. I recall the Prime Minister also stating that as the G7 agreement was reached only today, a little more time would be spent on reviewing the concrete policy measures. In any case, I expect that the decision would be made known before the House of Councillors elections.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: President Barack Obama will be arriving in Hiroshima momentarily. Can you please say once again what significance the Japanese Government attaches to a sitting President’s first visit to the atomic bombing site of Hiroshima?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, President Obama will now be visiting Hiroshima. With regard to its significance, the Government perceives that it will be a critically important, historic opportunity for paying tribute to all of the city’s victims, and coupled with the recent visit to Hiroshima by the G7 foreign ministers and the issuance of the Hiroshima Declaration, an opportunity for once again providing international momentum towards the goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons. The Government welcomes the visit as we have been stating.

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REPORTER: I would like to change the subject and ask a question related to the abduction issue. On the 29th of this weekend, it will be two years since the Japan-North Korea agreement was announced in which North Korea pledged to conduct a reinvestigation of the Japanese abductees. The negotiations have made little progress due to North Korea’s repeated provocative acts. Can you please comment on the situation and tell us how the Government intends to achieve a breakthrough in the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is deeply regrettable that the abductees have still not returned to Japan even now, two years after the Stockholm agreement was reached in May the year before last. We consider the abduction issue a top priority issue of the Abe administration. We continue to make every effort to resolve the abduction issue in accordance with the Stockholm agreement, while applying strong pressure on North Korea based on the principles of dialogue and pressure and action for action, and at the same time, not closing Japan’s door to dialogue.

(Abridged)