Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

It appears that at about 5:30 a.m. this morning, North Korea launched a ballistic missile in a north-easterly direction from the proximity of Pukchang in the inland area of North Korea. This missile is believed to have fallen in the inland area of North Korea approximately 50 kilometers away from the launch point. The details of the launch are currently being analyzed. Following the launch a report was immediately issued to the Prime Minister, who is currently on an overseas visit, and the Prime Minister issued instructions on three points. The Response Office within the Prime Minister's Office for the Situation in North Korea engaged in consolidation of information, and an emergency meeting among the team of director-general level officials of the relevant ministries and agencies was held, in addition to which, from 8:41 a.m. a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) was convened. The launch of the ballistic missile by North Korea today is a violation of relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and the Government immediately issued a serious protest against North Korea through the "embassy channel" in Beijing, condemning the launch in the strongest possible terms. These repeated actions by North Korea are entirely unacceptable. The Government will coordinate closely with the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and other relevant countries, including at the UN Security Council, to strongly urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint, and will take all necessary actions to be able to respond to any situation. The people are asked to stay tuned to information from the Government and act calmly.

Q&As

REPORTER: It appears that the missile fell in an inland area of North Korea, so is it the Government's view that the launch was a failure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is currently responding to the situation. Comprehensive and expert analysis is required based on the information available. We are still in the process of analyzing the details of the latest launch.

REPORTER: Given that the United States aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is now deployed in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula, is the Government aware of what action the United States may take in response to the launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from responding to questions about the response by the United States. In any event, Japan has been exchanging opinions and information closely with the United States and coordinating policy relating to North Korea.

REPORTER: How will the Government maintain contact with the United States? For example, is there a possibility that the Prime Minister, who is currently away on an overseas visit, will hold a summit telephone talk with President Trump?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, the Government will cooperate closely with the United States on all matters. Furthermore, Japan, the United States and the ROK will also continue to work together to call strongly on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and comply with relevant UNSC resolutions.

REPORTER: Given that the presidential election campaign is underway in the ROK, what is the Government's analysis about the timing and purpose of this latest launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently consolidating various information sources and engaging in analysis, including the matter that you mentioned.

REPORTER: Does the Government consider it possible that North Korea will engage in further provocative actions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is constantly working with the greatest sense of urgency to engage in monitoring and surveillance with regard to nuclear and missile-related issues relating to North Korea so that we can respond to any situation.

REPORTER: What is the Government's analysis of the type of missile and means of delivery used in the latest launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: These and other matters are currently being comprehensively analyzed from an expert perspective based on various information sources.

REPORTER: As noted in a previous question, the United States is currently applying unprecedented pressure on North Korea, including the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson. What is the Government's view on the decision by North Korea to go ahead with another missile launch, despite the pressure being applied by the United States?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, we continue to work closely with the United States and in a situation in which the regional security environment is of ever increasing severity, it is important to ensure that U.S. deterrence capabilities are secured. From this perspective, the Government appreciates the United States' stance that all options are on the table. We will continue to make a thorough response, cooperating closely with the United States and the ROK, as well as countries such as China and Russia that have influence on North Korea.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You have just mentioned that the United States has indicated that all options are on the table and that it is stepping up pressure on North Korea. Despite such pressure North Korea has gone ahead with another missile launch, so is it the Government's view that this pressure is having little effect?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Those matters are currently being analyzed as we consolidate various sources of information.

REPORTER: The latest missile is believed to have flown for 50 km before falling in an inland area of North Korea, and, according to certain information sources in the ROK, the missile is believed to have exploded while in flight. What is the Government's analysis of the specific flight trajectory of this latest missile launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently consolidating various information sources, including on this matter. Overall analysis of the latest launch is currently underway.

REPORTER: Given the heightened state of U.S. military pressure on North Korea at the moment, what role does the Government of Japan seek to play in order to further strengthen and step up pressure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government continues to work closely with the United States and coordinate policy with regard to North Korea. We also continue to engage in trilateral cooperation with the United States and the ROK to respond to the tense situation. At the same time we are also making diplomatic efforts to engage with China and Russia, which have influence on North Korea, and endeavoring to ensure the safety and security of the people of Japan.

REPORTER: Do you have any information about where the missile fell in North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I noted earlier, the missile is thought to have fallen in an inland area of North Korea.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Although the latest launch has not affected Japan, there are various response measures in place, including the temporary stoppage of subway train services. What is the Government's awareness with regard to the collateral impact on domestic activities within Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is providing all manner of information to the public and we would ask that the people of Japan stay tuned to information from the Government and act calmly. The latest launch had absolutely no impact on Japan.

REPORTER: Following the latest launch certain subway train services were halted for approximately ten minutes, which I believe was a decision made by the rail operators themselves. Does the Government consider this to be a necessary response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Such decisions are entirely at the discretion of the rail operators themselves. However, the Government seeks to provide the necessary information to the public following a missile launch, so we would ask that the public act calmly and await such information.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the response by the Government of Japan. In the past, when there have been failed missile launches or launches of missiles that only flew for a short distance, it has often been the case that an emergency meeting of the NSC has not been convened. Could you tell us why a meeting of the NSC was convened in response to the latest launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is true that in the past the NSC has not been convened in response to such missile launches, nor have I held an extraordinary press conference. However, given that public concern is currently at such a high level, I have held this additional press conference to reassure the people that there is absolutely no impact on Japan from the latest launch. Similarly for the NSC, the emergency meeting was held today out of a sense of urgency and in order to reconfirm among the various governmental departments concerned the response that should be made in order to protect the lives and assets of the people of Japan. Deputy Prime Minister Aso, who was serving as acting Prime Minister in Prime Minister Abe's absence, issued firm instructions concerning the response to the latest launch.

REPORTER: Could you tell us specifically what instructions Deputy Prime Minister Aso issued at the NSC meeting today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As Prime Minister Abe had already issued instructions immediately following the launch, Deputy Prime Minister Aso, in his position as acting Prime Minister, issued orders for the instructions of Prime Minister Abe to be carried out fully and reconfirmed that all government ministries and agencies concerned would engage in a response to the North Korea issue with a due sense of urgency.

REPORTER: You have stated that analysis is being conducted on the type of missile launched today. Is it the Government's view that this was a test launch of a new type of technology or a launch of existing missile technology possessed by North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are various sources of information pertaining to this point. We are currently consolidating and utilizing all these various sources and engaging in analysis.