Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: The new international framework to address global warming, the Paris Agreement, was approved by the House of Representatives a short while ago. Can you please share the comments of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Based on this approval, today, on the 8th, the Government will submit its instrument of acceptance at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Accordingly, Japan will ratify the Paris Agreement. Japan will continue to actively take part in the negotiations for establishing the implementation guidelines in order to increase the effectiveness of the Agreement. In addition, Japan will take steady steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and make a proactive contribution to the international efforts in this area. 

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Japanese Government has consistently stated that it attaches importance to the Paris Agreement. However, it ended up being that Japan’s ratification was not in time for the Agreement’s entry into force on the 4th and for Japan to participate in the conference of the parties. Can you once again explain your views regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan has consistently attached importance to the Paris Agreement. Japan signed the Agreement on April 22 when it was opened for signature. At the same time, Japan carried out reviews to assure the domestic implementation of the Agreement and proceeded with other work and coordination as quickly as possible. In addition, based on today’s approval at the Diet, Japan will swiftly ratify the Agreement. In any case, Japan will fulfill an active role in the area of climate change.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Russia. My first question is in regard to the visit to Russia by Secretary General Yachi of the National Security Secretariat. I understand that the Secretary General is scheduled to hold talks with Secretary Patrushev of the Security Council of Russia, who is close to President Putin. Can you tell us the objective of the meeting and what they are expected to discuss?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Secretary General Yachi will visit Moscow, Russia officially from today, the 8th, to the 10th. Secretary General Yachi regularly visits relevant countries and exchanges views with his counterparts in different countries, under instructions from the Prime Minister. This visit to Russia is a part of this. The Secretary General and Security Council Secretary Patrushev are expected to exchange views regarding the security policy of the two countries, the regional situations, and the Japan-Russia relationship as a whole.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Excuse me, I would like to ask a question on “kaketsuke-keigo” (coming to the aid of a geographically distant unit or personnel under attack). Today, a policy division of the Liberal Democratic Party approved the draft changes to the implementation plan for assigning kaketsuke-keigo to the Self-Defense Force units that will be dispatched to South Sudan. Can you once again explain the current status of the Government’s considerations with regard to the assignment of this duty? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will continue to comprehensively examine the local situation, the level of proficiency of the units based on the training, and other such factors to decide whether the duty will be assigned. Nothing has been decided at this point in time.

(Abridged)