Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. With regard to the agreement reached at the Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting to review the treatment of civilian personnel under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), at today’s liaison meeting of the Government and ruling parties, the Prime Minister stated that Japan and the United States would accelerate their work and swiftly compile effective measures to prevent similar incidents. Can you please share your views regarding the upcoming work?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at the Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting on June 4, the two ministers agreed that the measures aimed at preventing similar incidents would cover areas including: reviewing the treatment of U.S. personnel with SOFA status, including the civilian component; strengthening the monitoring of the SOFA status of U.S. personnel, including the civilian component; and enhancing education and training for U.S. personnel, including the civilian component. Japan and the United States will hold consultations and work quickly to swiftly compile effective measures to prevent similar incidents.

REPORTER: I have a related question. What meeting forums will be utilized to hold consultations with the United States regarding the treatment of U.S. civilian personnel? For example, will it be the “2+2” meeting? In addition, around when do you intend to start this work and by around when do you intend to have these measures compiled? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, as I stated moments ago, it is critically important that we work quickly to prevent similar incidents. The Government considers that what is important is not what format is adopted and when exactly the measures are compiled, but that the work is done as quickly as possible and that effective measures are taken.

(Abridged)