Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Regarding speculations about the House of Representatives dissolving at the start of the new year, Executive Acting Secretary-General Shimomura of the Liberal Democratic Party stated on a TV program over the weekend that we could see this happen. Since then, the Executive Acting Secretary-General has told the press that one of the factors for determining the timing of the dissolution is the difficulty of preparing candidates for the new electoral districts under the small-constituency system, which will be finalized by May of next year. What is the Government’s view regarding the relationship between the allocation of electoral districts and the dissolution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, my knowledge of what Mr. Shimomura’s exact comments is limited to what I saw in the news reports. Speaking on this basis, as I have stated from before, the decision to dissolve the House of Representatives is, needless to say, the exclusive right of the Prime Minister. In any case, if the Prime Minister states that he will dissolve the House of Representatives, then it will be dissolved; if he states that he will not, then it will not be dissolved. The Abe administration is guaranteed four years following the House of Representatives elections. In the meantime, the Prime Minister will determine the best possible timing for the dissolution. There is nothing more or less than that.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Japan-ROK relations. At today’s meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Abe was asked whether or not he would send a letter of apology in the Prime Minister’s name, as was requested by the ROK foundation that was established for the purpose of providing support for the former comfort women based on the Japan-ROK agreement reached at the end of last year. The Prime Minister made clear that he had no such intention. With regard to this issue, I recall you have responded previously that there is nothing more or less to the Japan-ROK agreement. May I confirm once again whether my understanding is correct that Japan will not be sending a letter in the name of the Prime Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, these were the words of the Prime Minister, and I would like to refrain from making additional comments to them. The two governments agreed that we would continue to make efforts to steadily implement the Japan-ROK agreement. The Japan-ROK agreement was announced last December, and we consider that it is nothing more or less than that.