Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
REPORTER: I have a question about Mr. Junpei Yasuda who is missing in Syria. A Syrian man who claimed to be an intermediary for the kidnappers has reportedly pulled out of involvement in the case. Please explain the Government’s response to this news.

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY HAGIUDA: I am aware of the media reports. The Government currently remains in the process of making its utmost efforts to deal with the situation utilizing a variety of information networks based on its stance that securing the safety of Japanese nationals is one of its most important responsibilities. I would like to refrain from further comments about the situation because of the nature of the case.

REPORTER: The intermediary appears to be saying that his attempt to intercede failed because the Japanese Government would not respond to the demands of the kidnappers. While you refrained from answering, what is the Government’s policy for addressing the situation?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY HAGIUDA: This is a sensitive matter. Many people claim to be intermediaries, and it is necessary to verify the accuracy of their claims. I would like to refrain from getting into details, including whether the person making the claim is actually providing correct information to the Government.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the topic. The United Kingdom’s (UK) national referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union (EU) took place just a week ago on June 23. The decision to exit was confirmed on the following day, June 24, and there has been a major impact on the global economy, including Japan, over the past week. While the economic situation remains relatively calm at this point, could you explain the Government’s view of developments over the past week, including its analysis of the events?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY HAGIUDA: Regarding the impact of the UK’s vote to exit the EU, I think it is very important to focus on short-term movements in financial markets and make a strong effort to stabilize markets. It is important for the G7 nations, the Government, and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to continuously send a message of their intent to take necessary actions to address financial markets in a unified manner. The Government has implemented such steps over the past week based on instructions from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It also intends to continue putting its fullest efforts into realizing global economic growth and stabilizing financial markets, including the currency market, while cooperating closely with the BoJ and other G7 nations. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully monitor the situation and forthrightly deal with risks one by one, above all the activities of domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises, because of the possibility of impact from the UK’s EU departure on real economic activity surfacing over the mid-to-long term.

(Abridged)