Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Mr. Jumpei Yasuda. The photo released this morning shows Mr. Yasuda holding a paper saying, “Please help me. This is the last chance.” Does the Japanese Government perceive that Mr. Yasuda’s life is in danger?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to Mr. Yasuda, even before today’s news reports came out, the Government has held the view that it is the most important responsibility of the Government to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals. Based on this recognition, the Government has been making every effort to collect information and take various responses.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Can you please confirm if any request has been made to the Japanese Government for the payment of ransom or any other request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At any event, it is the most important responsibility of the Government to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals. In this sense, the Government is doing all that it can to handle the situation, using a variety of information networks. Due to the nature of the matter, I should refrain from commenting on matters other than what we are currently doing.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) revealed that on the 31st, which is tomorrow, it will launch a preparation committee for the establishment of a foundation for providing support for the former comfort women in accordance with the Japan-ROK agreement of late last year. I understand that the first meeting will be held in Seoul tomorrow and that the ROK aims to establish the foundation by the end of next month. Can you please share the comments of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Japan-ROK agreement reached at the end of last year pertaining to the comfort women issue sets out that the ROK Government would establish a foundation for the purpose of providing support for the former comfort women. I understand that the preparation committee for the establishment of this foundation, which you just referred to, is part of the preparations for the establishment of the foundation. As was confirmed between the two leaders, it is important that the two sides implement what they agreed upon respectively with responsibility. The Japanese Government will continue to work with the ROK Government to implement the agreement.