Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Monju fast-breeder reactor. There are reports in the press that a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council for Nuclear Power is to be held tomorrow, September 21. What is the current status of considerations with regard to this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is considering its response to the issue of the Monju nuclear reactor in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and other ministries, agencies and organizations concerned. From the perspective of sharing a common understanding on this issue there are plans to hold a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council for Nuclear Power and the timing for this meeting is currently being coordinated.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic. Today in the early hours of the morning, Japan time, the Prime Minister made a statement to the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants, in which he announced the provision of a total of 2.8 billion U.S. dollars over three years for humanitarian assistance to refugees and migrants. Could I ask for your opinions on the significance of Japan enhancing the provision of assistance in this area, given the increasing seriousness of refugee issues in various regions, including the Middle East, where civil war is continuing in Syria?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you noted in your question, issues relating to refugees and migrants in the Asian and African regions, including Syria and Iraq and other countries in the Middle East, are an extremely pressing challenge for the international community. In particular, as the holder of the G7 Presidency, Japan raised the issue of refugees and migrants at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and in the Leaders’ Declaration that was issued at Ise-Shima the G7 nations placed the highest priority on mid- to long-term assistance in order to address the root causes of large movements of people. Based on the declaration made at Ise-Shima, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s commitment to provide a large-scale assistance package amounting to 2.8 billion U.S. dollars between 2016 and 2018. Specifically, this package will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees who have been impacted by conflict or natural disasters, and also to provide assistance for education and vocational training, as well as medical assistance and assistance to host communities.

(Abridged)