Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: My question is in regard to the matter that also came up this morning, about high-ranking North Korean officials living in Beijing who are seeking to defect. In the Republic of Korea (ROK), it is reported that they are seeking to defect to the ROK rather than to Japan. Has the Japanese Government obtained any new information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of such news reports. However, as this is about defecting to other countries, the Government would like to refrain from making comments.

REPORTER: I have a related question. With the North Korean deputy ambassador in the United Kingdom defecting to the ROK in July, it is suggested that there is internal instability within the North Korean regime. What is the Japanese Government’s analysis of the present developments or situation in North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is carefully monitoring developments in North Korea with close attention and the highest interest, in coordination with the United States and the ROK. We are also collecting and analyzing this information. Due to the nature of the matter, I would like to refrain from responding about it.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the citizenship of Diet members. Yesterday, it came to light that Ms. Kimi Onoda, a House of Councillors member from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who was elected for the first time in July’s House of Councillors election, had dual citizenship with the United States. With regard to dual citizenship of Diet members, it is already known that President Renho of the Democratic Party had dual citizenship with Taiwan. At the meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on October 3, Prime Minister Abe who is also the LDP President responded that his understanding is that in principle Diet members from the LDP do not have dual citizenship. We know now that Ms. Onoda had dual citizenship. It was found that an LDP Diet member had dual citizenship shortly after the Prime Minister gave his response. Can you please share the view of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I do not know the details, I would like to refrain from making comments. In any case, I believe these are issues that the individual Diet members themselves should explain.