Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. The general meeting among political parties regarding the abdication of His Majesty the Emperor and other matters has started from today. Secretary-General  Noda of the Democratic Party advocates that the decreasing number of Imperial Family members should be addressed urgently, including allowing female members of the Imperial Family to keep their Imperial status after marriage . In a recent press conference, you stated that a review should not be postponed for addressing the decreasing number of Imperial Family members. Does this review, which is not to be postponed, include allowing female members of the Imperial Family to keep their Imperial status after marriage?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I am aware that there are various debates over the Imperial system, including allowing female members of the Imperial Family to keep their Imperial status after marriage. Internal reviews of the Government are being conducted at the Imperial House Law Revision Office of the Cabinet Secretariat on how the decreasing number of Imperial Family members shall be addressed. This includes a careful study of the past discussion process. It is as I have stated from before. The Constitution states that the Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power . Our view is that this matter should continue to be considered by taking into account these aspects. In any case, the review should not be postponed as I stated at my recent press conference. At this point in time I have no intention of making any further comments.

REPORTER: I have one more related question. It is in connection with this topic of addressing the decreasing number of Imperial Family members. As you just mentioned, the Imperial House Law Revision Office of the Cabinet Secretariat is studying the past discussion process and so on. Going forward, is there any intention of conducting the review, for example, by establishing a new advisory council strictly for this issue of the decreasing number of Imperial Family members?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, we consider that the existing advisory council of the Government is a forum for calmly advancing discussion on easing the burden of the official duties and public activities of His Majesty the Emperor, free of assumption . A variety of discussions are currently under way in the legislature. We believe it is important that we take these discussions seriously and further advance the review of this matter.