Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in connection with the earthquake. It looks as though this fiscal year’s draft supplementary budget will be passed on May 17. Can you please share your comments? In addition, how large of a supplementary budget are you expecting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, we are working to finalize the draft supplementary budget and hope to swiftly submit it to the Diet so that the people affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake can resume their normal lives as quickly as possible and the affected areas can be recovered and restored. The draft supplementary budget will include expenses needed to support the people affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake, including allowances to secure housing and for a fund to help people rebuild their livelihoods. In addition, it will establish the Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery Emergency Fund to swiftly advance the rebuilding of the businesses of those affected by the earthquakes, the recovery of infrastructure such as roads and facilities, and the removal of debris. We have declared that we will do everything possible on this issue. To this end, we are now reviewing the size of the supplementary budget from the standpoint of conducting all possible preparations to fully provide the necessary supports to the affected people and to help with recovery and restoration.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Japan-Russia relations. My question is about the new approach that was agreed upon earlier between Prime Minister Abe and President Vladimir Putin. It is hard to envision this approach. What exactly is it referring to? For example, is it referring to a method of resolving the territorial issue? Or is it referring to the creation of an environment for advancing the territorial negotiations? Can you please share your views?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the two leaders agreed that the two countries would proceed with negotiations toward the formulation of solutions acceptable to both sides through a new approach that is not stuck in a traditional way of thinking in order to make a breakthrough in the current negotiation stalemate. In fact, they also agreed to negotiate from a future-oriented standpoint, taking into account not simply the bilateral perspective between Japan and Russia alone, but also a global perspective, and to implement the next round of peace treaty negotiations based on this approach in June in Tokyo. While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details, I would like to say that the basic position of Japan has not changed, that a peace treaty would be concluded after resolving the issue of the return of the four islands.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I gather that the process will not change, as in a peace treaty would be concluded after resolving the issue of the return of the four islands. However, what about the Government’s previous stance about the four islands being returned together?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated, while I would like to refrain from disclosing the details, our position has not changed at all that a peace treaty would be concluded after resolving the issue of the return of the four islands.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. At the recent foreign ministers’ meeting, the Japanese and Chinese Governments agreed to hold a series of high-level dialogues and deepen collaboration towards the realization of a summit meeting. I imagine that global economic measures is a common issue between the two countries. What is the Government’s intention with regard to holding a Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida’s visit to China was the first in approximately four and a half years by a Japanese Foreign Minister, and we consider that it was an extremely meaningful visit. We assess that it served as a good opportunity to give momentum to the Japan-China relationship. Based on these outcomes, the Government as a whole is committed to further improving the bilateral relationship. With regard to the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the two sides agreed at the Japan-China summit meeting last November to hold the dialogue early this year. We will continue with the arrangement work to hold the dialogue in accordance with this agreement.

REPORTER: A related question. During the Prime Minister’s visit to Europe, the Prime Minister expressed his wish to hold a Japan-China summit meeting in September. Is the Government aiming to hold a Japan-China high-level dialogue or a Japan-China-ROK foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan before September?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: All that has been decided is that it will be held by the end of this year. The timing of the Japan-China-ROK meeting is not clear yet.

(Abridged)