Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the U.S. presidential election. It looks as though we will know the result as early as this afternoon. What is the Japanese Government’s analysis of the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the U.S. presidential election will have a significant impact on the world, including Japan. The Government is therefore closely following the results.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It is reported that it is a close race between the two candidates. Does the Japanese Government share the view that this is a close race?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Votes are still being cast and counted, and therefore, the Government would like to refrain from making comments. Having said that, it has been the consistent policy of the Government that whoever becomes the next President of the United States, it remains unchanged that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan-U.S. diplomacy and Japan will work closely with the United States for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

REPORTER: A related question. Both of the presidential candidates have expressed opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). What is your analysis regarding how the transition to the new administration will affect the TPP Agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These were statements that they made still as candidates, and therefore, I would like to refrain from making comments about them. However, in any case, the leaders of 12 countries including the United States confirmed at the TPP leaders’ meeting in November 2015 that they would aim for the Agreement’s expeditious entry into force. In this regard, we understand that the incumbent President Obama is wholly committed to getting the Agreement passed by Congress by the end of this year.    

REPORTER: So it remains unchanged that the Japanese Government will take the lead in passing the TPP Agreement, irrespective of the results of the presidential election?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Of course.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday, the National Governors’ Association proposed to the Government that a women’s empowerment fund be established to promote women’s active roles in the regions. At the same time, the Association requested an increase in grants for the relevant programs of the prefectures. Can you please share your comments? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government considers that it is extremely important to promote women’s active roles. We perceive that advancing women’s active roles is key to vitalizing local economies. Against this backdrop, the 2016 priority policies for accelerating the promotion of active participation by women and Japan’s Plan for Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens fully enshrine that the Government will support the measures of local public organizations related to promoting women’s active roles, based on the regional situation. The Government is committed to promoting women’s active roles in the regions through these programs.