Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: A foundation for providing support for the former comfort women was launched in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in accordance with the Japan-ROK agreement. Can you please share the views of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware that the foundation was established in the ROK today. The Japanese and ROK Governments are in the process of coordinating the details of the program pursuant to the Japan-ROK agreement. We have not decided when exactly Japan will provide funds to the foundation. In any case, it is important that the Japanese and ROK Governments take responsibility to implement the agreement, as was confirmed at the recent Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and the Japan-ROK foreign ministers’ meeting on the 25th. In any case, Japan will continue to work closely with the ROK.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You just stated that the two countries would execute the Japan-ROK agreement in good faith. According to the Japan-ROK agreement, I believe it is now Japan’s turn to take action by making a 1 billion yen contribution. What is the next step or response that the Japanese Government intends to take specifically?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, what Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se announced at last year’s joint press conference says it all. It is important that Japan and the ROK respectively take responsibility to implement their agreement.

(Abridged)