Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question relating to the telephone summit talk between Japan and the United States that was held a short while ago. The Prime Minister commented on it earlier, but could I ask you to share with us the objectives and details of the talk, within the limits of what you are able to tell us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Moments ago, Prime Minister Abe held a telephone talk with President Trump of the United States. The leaders held very frank and substantive discussions. From the standpoint of reinforcing the Japan-U.S. Alliance and indicating to those in Japan and overseas the strong bonds of the Alliance, we consider it highly significant that the leaders of Japan and the United States are able to frequently contact each other directly. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hagiuda will be providing a briefing on the details of the talk later.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have one more related question. This was the third telephone talk between the two leaders since the start of April. Telephone talks have been taking place more frequently than we have previously seen. Does this mean that there have been some kind of change to the situation in North Korea or the policies of the United States toward the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: From the standpoint of reinforcing the Japan-U.S. Alliance and in terms of enhancing the strong bonds of the Alliance, we consider it highly significant that the leaders of Japan and the United States have been able to hold direct telephone talks frequently.

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. I have a question regarding the French presidential election. The first round of voting has resulted in Mr. Emmanuel Macron, a former Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, and Ms. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Front party, advancing to the final round of voting. It will be an unprecedented final round between Mr. Macron, who is not affiliated with any existing parties, and Ms. Le Pen, who is the leader of a far-right party. Can you please share the comments of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government would like to refrain from commenting on the election of another country. In any case, we will continue to closely follow the developments relating to the presidential election.

REPORTER: You stated that you will be following the developments. The assertions of Mr. Macron and Ms. Le Pen regarding the European Union and the immigration issue are the exact opposite, or contrary to each other. What issues will the Government be monitoring? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to what you just stated, we will naturally be giving maximum attention to them while monitoring the outcome of the election.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. I understand that RENGO President Kozu and the Prime Minister will be meeting this afternoon. What kind of discussion are the two expected to hold?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, today's meeting was arranged in response to a request from RENGO to hold talks with the Prime Minister in the lead-up to a meeting of the L20, which is a group made up of labor representatives from the G20 members. The Government is currently working to realize work style reform, which is identified as a top priority of the administration. In this process, the Government will steadily move forward with the implementation of reforms in line with the recently compiled Action Plan for the Realization of Work Style Reform. We hope that today's meeting will provide an opportunity for the exchange of wide-ranging views towards such promotion of reforms.