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

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the extraordinary Cabinet meeting that was held a short while ago. The Prime Minister stated that he has decided to reshuffle the Cabinet today. Subsequently, letters of resignation were collected from Cabinet members. A leaders’ meeting of the ruling parties will be held later today at 2:15 PM.

Q&As

REPORTER: In your statement you mentioned the remarks made by the Prime Minister. Can you please elaborate a little more on them?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the Prime Minister’s statement, the Prime Minister stated to the following effect. I have decided to reshuffle the Cabinet today in order to accelerate Abenomics that addresses the various risks of the global economy, and to further accelerate the realization of policies in line with the mandate entrusted by the Japanese people through the House of Councillors election. As “the Cabinet that takes on challenges to secure our future,” I believe we were able to achieve results visible to the people, including making a strong start towards becoming a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of you for the efforts you have put in so far. As fellow Cabinet members that have engaged earnestly in reforms, I would like to ask for your continued strong support as the Abe Cabinet further takes on challenges, so that we can fulfill the mandate entrusted by the people in our respective positions. Thank you truly for all of your hard work.

REPORTER: The current Cabinet has been in place for about ten months since last year’s reshuffle. Later today the Abe administration will inaugurate a new Cabinet. In this light, can you please share your comments looking back on the last ten months?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Although it was a short period of ten months, this Cabinet, which started off with the objectives of exiting deflation and revitalizing the Japanese economy, establishing a thorough crisis management system, and achieving reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, following the Prime Minister’s reelection last year in the presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party, the whole Cabinet has taken steps under the banner of creating a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged. In addition, we secured victory in the recent election that asked the people whether or not they support the Abe administration’s Abenomics economic policy as well as the Legislation for Peace and Security which was passed last summer—legislation that further deepens the Japan-U.S. Alliance and secures the safety and security of the Japanese people. As a result of the election, the Abe administration will be embarking on a new start having received a vote of confidence from the Japanese people. 

(Abridged)