Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Following the announcement by the Advisory Council on Easing the Burden of the Official Duties and Public Activities of His Majesty the Emperor of the completion of its compilation of key points for future discussions, today the Prime Minister has requested the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice-President of the House of Councillors to refer to the compilation of key points and advance consideration of this matter in the Diet. In response to this request, Speaker Oshima of the House of Representatives has stated that opinions from ruling and opposition parties and various factions will be heard individually from the middle of next month, with a view to compiling the views of the Diet for reference purposes by mid-March. What kind of discussions does the Government expect will take place in the Diet among the ruling and opposition parties?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: Yesterday, the Advisory Council on Easing the Burden of the Official Duties and Public Activities of His Majesty the Emperor submitted its compilation of key points for discussions and upon receiving this compilation the Prime Minister met with the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice-President of the House of Councillors at 1 p.m. today. In the meeting, Prime Minister Abe requested that all parties and factions refer to this compilation of key points in the course of their discussions in the Diet. It has been decided that tomorrow, January 25, the Government will provide an explanation to all parties and factions concerning the contents of the compilation of key points for discussion. The Government is aware that the Speaker and Vice-Speaker and President and Vice-President will take the lead in hearing opinions from all political parties and factions. Although I would like to refrain from commenting on the contents of considerations that will be undertaken in both houses, the Government understands that the Advisory Council will refer to opinions expressed by political parties and factions and also take into account trends in public opinion as it continues to advance its discussions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Although the Government is considering the formulation of a special law that would address the matter of abdication, opposition parties, including The Democratic Party are calling for the amendment of the Imperial House Act. How will the Government seek to gain understanding concerning its position?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: The Government understands that the Advisory Council is advancing discussions calmly and without prejudice about easing the burden of the official duties and public activities of His Majesty. It is for this reason that I would like to refrain from making any comment that would impact this process of discussion. The Government is aware that the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives and President and Vice-President of the House of Councillors will take the lead in hearing opinions from all political parties and factions and recognizes that the Advisory Council will refer to opinions expressed by political parties and factions and also take into account trends in public opinion as it continues to advance its discussions. Whatever the case, following discussions among the ruling and opposition parties, once the Advisory Council determines a direction in which to proceed the Government will respond appropriately based on the outcomes of discussions.

REPORTER: You have just stated that tomorrow the Government will explain the Advisory Council’s compilation of key points for discussion. What form will this explanation take?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: From 5 p.m. tomorrow, January 25, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga is scheduled to provide an explanation concerning the compilation of key points for discussion to all parties and factions at the Diet.

(Abridged)