Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question related to Japan-U.S. relations. President Trump of the United States issued an executive order temporarily banning the citizens of seven countries in the Middle East and Africa from entering the United States, and confusion is spreading. This is a domestic political matter of the United States, but what is the Japanese Government's reaction to President Trump’s executive order?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is absolutely a domestic political matter of the United States, the Government would like to refrain from making any comment. In general terms, however, we recognize refugees and countermeasures against terrorism as being global issues. The Japanese Government will continue closely following  the implementation of the President’s executive order regarding immigration policies.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another related question. In the event a person affected by the President’s executive order was in Japan, what response would the Japanese Government take?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government has not currently received any reports from the domestic airlines of such cases being encountered. Going forward, because airlines must send back such individuals to their point of departure if they cannot enter the United States, we have received reports from the domestic airlines that they are currently considering their response if such cases were to arise.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about Japan-U.S. relations. In the telephone discussion held between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe this weekend, the Prime Minister provided an explanation on the contributions to U.S. employment made by Japanese firms that have expanded into the United States. Within the discussion, was there any kind of request related to employment or otherwise made by President Trump’s side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, there was agreement on the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship. Additionally, as a summit meeting will take place on February 10, it was decided to have an in-depth discussion regarding concrete topics when Prime Minister Abe and President Trump meet, and therefore no in-depth discussions on particular matters were held during the recent telephone discussion. Furthermore, while the press has already been briefed on the matter, in response to issues recognized by President Trump, the Prime Minister made a thorough, overall explanation of the contributions made to the U.S. economy by Japanese firms, including the auto industry.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Prime Minister Abe gave an explanation of the contributions made by Japanese firms. However, President Trump has previously expressed that he considers the poor sales of U.S. cars in Japan to show that the Japanese market is unfair. Is the Government preparing to sufficiently correct this perception, which is based on a misunderstanding of the facts, in the summit meeting that will be held on February 10 and other such opportunities?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, when the Prime Minister and the President actually meet, I believe an explanation will be provided on specific issues.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It was stated in the brief that the East Asia security situation was also discussed in the telephone discussion, but were there discussions on specific situations in the region, such as North Korea’s missiles and China’s movements in the South China Sea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA : Rather than specific situations, Prime Minister Abe and President Trump exchanged opinions on the East Asia security situation, including North Korea, in light of the upcoming visit to Japan on February 3 of United States Secretary of Defense Mattis.

(Abridged)