Ad Hoc Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This morning, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kihara, who is already in Bangladesh, contacted the Prime Minister by telephone and reported on the situation there. In addition, at a meeting of the National Security Council that was held a short while ago, the ministers confirmed what the current situation was and what responses the Government would be taking. In Bangladesh, the Government will continue to make every effort towards collecting information, finding out the facts, and receiving the families. The Government will continue to stand with the families and support them in every way it can. As part of our effort, based on the wishes of the families, we are making urgent preparations to dispatch the government aircraft late this afternoon, and are working to ensure that all families can go to the site quickly. Innocent people have lost their lives to this cruel and atrocious act of terrorism. We are intensely outraged. Terrorism can never be tolerated for any reason, and we resolutely condemn it. I express my deepest sympathy to the people of all countries who lost their lives to this despicable act of terrorism, and I extend my condolences to the families. The United Nations Security Council, under the leadership of Japan which currently holds the Security Council presidency, has issued a press statement that resolutely condemns the recent incident. 

Q&As

(Abridged)