Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the abdication of His Majesty the Emperor.
A short while ago, the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau stated in his remarks at the Budget Committee meeting that the “Imperial House Law” as prescribed in the Constitution includes laws that set forth special exceptions and special provisions, and therefore, abdication may be permitted under a special measures law. Does this mean that if the Government were to allow abdication, it would do so under a special measures law? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, with regard to the comments made earlier by the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, I believe what he stated was that he understands the Advisory Council should conduct wide-ranging reviews, and that he would like to refrain from making speculative comments at this point in time. On this basis, he made the comment, I believe as you stated, as a general remark.

REPORTER: I have a related question. While I understand that the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau was making a general remark, I believe in responding to the question he expressed the view that matters related to the succession of the Imperial Throne are matters of the law, and a revision of the Constitution is not necessarily necessary. Perhaps my question is redundant, but can you please explain the Government’s view regarding the relationship between abdication and the revision of the Constitution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe the Director-General’s comment was that it seems not to be the case that abdication cannot be allowed without revising the Constitution. I gather that the Director-General was making this comment as a general remark.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question is in regard to Japan-ROK relations. The ROK foundation that was established in accordance with the Japan-ROK agreement reached at the end of last year is requesting a letter of apology from Prime Minister Abe addressed to the former comfort women. In this connection, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) stated at a regular press conference that was held yesterday, the 29th, that the ROK expects Japan to take such additional measures to console the psychological wounds of the comfort women. Can you once again explain the view of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of this matter. The Japan-ROK agreement is exactly as was announced last December. It is nothing more or less than that. In any case, we believe it is vital that Japan and the ROK respectively take responsibility to implement, in good faith, the agreement that was reached at the end of last year.