Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. The United States will have a presidential election in November, and there are about four months left in President Obama’s term. Going forward the United States will be preparing for a transfer of power. Under these circumstances, what is the Japanese Government’s outlook regarding the U.S. influence on China over matters including the South China Sea issues?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These are issues that have direct implications for the peace and security of the region, and hence, are matters that the international community including Japan and the United States are paying attention to. It is critically important that these issues are always resolved peacefully and diplomatically in accordance with international law. This will remain entirely unchanged even during the transition period.

(Abridged)