Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: The United Nations Security Council released a statement condemning North Korea’s missile launches. This time, the statement instantly received the consent of the members and was released just a few hours after the emergency meeting. Can you please explain the process leading up to the release and the Government’s comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at the request of Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), an informal meeting of the Security Council was held in the early hours of the 7th. Following the meeting, the Security Council released a press statement strongly condemning North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on September 5, and reaffirming that North Korea shall refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions. The statement demonstrates the Security Council’s unanimous position that it would not tolerate North Korea’s repeated launches. Japan will continue to coordinate closely with the United States and the ROK in urging North Korea to refrain from provocations and to comply faithfully and fully with Security Council resolutions.

REPORTER: I have a related question. North Korea has launched three ballistic missiles after the Security Council released a statement against North Korea on the 27th of last month. How effective is this statement in your opinion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, as I stated moments ago, many countries share the view that the Security Council is one of the most effective fora for the international community to send out messages in the strongest terms and impose sanctions against North Korea. Japan will make use of the Sanctions Committee and take other proactive steps to implement effective responses against North Korea.

REPORTER: A related question. Some regard that China gave its immediate consent to the statement this time because the launches took place during the G20 Summit and because it strongly protested against North Korea’s disregard of previous resolutions and statements. What is your analysis in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making comments regarding this. At the very least it is true that it took time for the Security Council to release its previous statement, partly because of the failure to obtain China’s understanding at the beginning.

REPORTER: A question concerning this matter. Ambassador Bessho of the Japanese Government to the United Nations gave a press conference following the emergency meeting, and stated that it is necessary to think about what additional actions the Security Council can take. Will the Japanese Government be aiming to adopt a new resolution or other measures that includes stronger measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated earlier, the Security Council is a vital forum for the international community. North Korea’s continued disregard of the sanctions decided at the Security Council is also a matter that concerns its authority, and it is natural that further steps be considered.

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject to the issue of making it a crime to prepare to commit terrorism and other organized crimes. At this morning’s meeting of the Secretaries-General and Chairmen of the Diet Affairs Committee of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, the Chair of the Diet Policy Committee of Komeito stated that this matter has been subject to various deliberations in the past and adequate discussions need to take place among the ruling parties. If the bill were to be submitted, I imagine it must first be reviewed by the ruling parties. What is the current status of the Government’s considerations regarding this bill?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government views that it is critically important for Japan to sign the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and combat organized crime in coordination with the international community. We believe that to this end, legislation needs to be developed in association with the signing of this convention. So far, 187 countries have already signed this convention. Among the G7 countries, Japan is the only country that has not signed the convention. Above all, with regard to the organized crime of conspiracy that is included in this legislation, anxieties and concerns have been expressed over this in previous Diet deliberations. This is also true. Therefore, we are carefully studying the nature of this legislation. Under these circumstances, as a matter of course, the ruling parties will first carefully finalize the content of the legislation before submitting it to the Diet. Various discussions will be held. That said, 187 countries have already signed the convention. Countering terrorism makes up a substantive part of the G7 statement. Against this backdrop, Japan is the only G7 country that has not signed the convention. Terrorism can never be tolerated. In this regard, the Government believes this is a necessary law to prevent terrorism from occurring.

(Abridged)