Press Conference by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Ms. Park Geun-hye, Prime Minister of South Korea, has expressed the intention to resign without waiting for the full completion of her term. I would like to ask for the Government’s reaction to this.

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: As this is a matter relating to the internal affairs of South Korea, I believe the Japanese Government should avoid making any comments.

REPORTER: I have a related question. After the prime minister’s announcement, did the government of South Korea make any sort of contact with the Japanese Government?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: At this moment I am not aware of any contact.

REPORTER: I have a further related question. I believe Japan is currently proceeding with preparations for the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit planned to be held this year. Are there no changes to the intention to proceed as planned?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: Yes, that is correct. We will proceed with preparations for holding the summit within this year.

REPORTER: I have another related question. What impact do you see on the agreement reached between Japan and South Korea regarding the comfort women issue?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: The Government wishes to refrain from comment on this matter as well as it relates to the internal affairs of South Korea, but I think it is important that the agreement reached between the governments of Japan and South Korea at the end of last year is faithfully carried out.

REPORTER: I have an additional related question. You mentioned that the preparations for the Trilateral Summit are proceeding as planned. Do you believe another high-ranking official will be requested to attend instead of the prime minister?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: No, as preparations are proceeding in the same direction they have until now, there are no particular changes planned for the Japan-China-ROK summit.

REPORTER: I would like to ask an additional related question. Regarding the agreement between Japan and South Korea, the Japanese government has donated one billion yen to the comfort women foundation, but the comfort woman statue has not yet been moved. With turmoil expected to further increase in South Korea after the prime minister’s announcement, what do you believe the Government wishes to see going forward to ensure reliable fulfillment of the agreement between Japan and South Korea?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: As I mentioned before, I believe both Japan and South Korea will exert all efforts for the implementation of the agreement reached last year.

 (Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different topic, I would like to ask about the UN sanctions against North Korea. The Security Council will vote tomorrow, November 30th, on increased sanctions. The sanctions call for an export cap on coal, and I would like to hear the Government’s reaction to this.

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: Currently, related countries are making the final preparations needed for the adoption of the Security Council Resolution made after North Korea’s nuclear test in September. The Government will continue to fully exert all efforts for the adoption in the near future of this resolution with strong measures.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. Based on the UN Security Council sanctions resolution, how is the Government considering the timing of the Government’s independent sanctions?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: Regarding Japan’s independent sanctions, extremely severe measures that effectively restrict the flow of people, resources and funds to North Korea have already been imposed. In regard to initiatives going forward, in order to comprehensively resolve the many outstanding North Korea related-issues such as abductions, nuclear weapons and missiles, the Government is considering all possibilities including the expansion and strengthening of its sanctions. As for the timing, the Government will consider the most effective timing to implement its measures while incorporating the response of the international community.