Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Prime Minister’s press conference yesterday. The Prime Minister announced the re-postponement of the consumption tax increase. Do you consider that the Prime Minister was able to gain the understanding of the people through yesterday’s press conference?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave a press conference regarding the consumption tax and explained about the postponement. I expect that this will be further and carefully explained to obtain the understanding of the people.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Prime Minister decided to seek a popular mandate for his new decision to re-postpone, not through the House of Representatives elections but through the House of Councillors elections. What was the top reason for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister stated yesterday, many people are still forced to live in evacuation facilities in the areas affected by the earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture. Under these circumstances, preparations for House of Representatives elections alone would cause significant hassle. Taking such factors into account, a popular mandate will be sought through another national election, the House of Councillors elections. I believe this is what the Prime Minister stated.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday, in Beijing, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation reached a settlement with former Chinese laborers who were forced to work. Can the Japanese Government offer its comment and share its view?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware of the announcement made by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. As a settlement was reached independently among the civilian parties, the Government would like to refrain from making comments. 

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have one more question. I understand that recently, a private organization has filed for materials related to comfort women to be inscribed on the Memory of the World Register (of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO]). The Government of China announced that it supports this move. What is the view of the Government of Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware of what you are referring to. I understand that a private organization filed for inscription. At this time, I am not aware of the details of the filing, and therefore, I would like to refrain from making comments. Having said that, the various programs of UNESCO should promote the original purport and purpose of the founding of UNESCO, which is to foster friendship and mutual understanding among the member states. The Government will continue to make every effort in this regard, including ensuring that the Memory of the World Register program is not utilized for political purposes including through reforming the system.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the Prime Minister’s press conference yesterday. With regard to financing social security, the Prime Minister also stated that he would not be so irresponsible as to issue deficit-covering bonds to finance enhanced social security services. What will happen to the plan that was being drawn up to enhance social security services assuming the tax increase? Will the plan be fundamentally reviewed? Will spending cuts be made? Or will the plan be implemented by finding other sources of funding?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As the Prime Minister stated during his press conference yesterday, as long as the increase to 10% is being postponed, everything that would have been done had the tax been increased cannot be done in the meantime, considering the balance between benefits and burdens. In addition, the Prime Minister stated that he would not be so irresponsible as to issue deficit-covering bonds to finance enhanced social security services. At the same time, the Prime Minister stated that childcare arrangements would be prepared for another 500,000 children by the end of FY2017 and nursing care arrangements for 500,000 people by early 2020, as was promised. With regard to the measures for the dynamic engagement of all citizens, including improving the treatment of childcare and nursing care professionals, the Prime Minister stated that priority would be given to implementing such measures by securing financing, including by making use of the fruits of Abenomics. Based on the Prime Minister’s statements, I expect that concrete measures would be considered in the course of securing financing and establishing the budget, while taking into account factors such as the order of priority of the measures.