Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in connection with the recent cyber attacks. Several IT companies in the United States and Russia have published reports indicating that North Korea may have been involved in the large-scale cyber attacks that took place around the world. Is the Government looking into this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of these news reports. At this time, the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC), the National Police Agency (NPA), and other relevant agencies are collecting and analyzing information regarding the cause of the cyber attacks that were confirmed in Japan. I would like to refrain from commenting on the details, as doing so would divulge the intelligence capabilities of Japan. In any case, we are currently taking responses as we get a fuller picture of the entire situation.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You just stated that you are currently analyzing the details. Should North Korea’s involvement comes to light, will the Government take actions such as making its study findings public or lodging protests?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated earlier, NISC, NPA, and other relevant agencies are collecting and analyzing information. The situation at this time does not warrant concerns about the future.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question related to the news reports in the United States about Mr. Trump’s leakage of classified information. Multiple media outlets reported that President Trump leaked classified information on the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL) to Russia. Is the Government gathering information in regard to this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Your question concerns what was reported by media outlets in the United States regarding its exchanges with Russia. I believe it is not a matter on which the Government should make any comments.

REPORTER: For the new growth strategy that the Government will compile in June, Komeito will submit a proposal on work leave reform to the Government, as early as this week. Media sources have reported about the content of this proposal. It calls for increasing the number of people taking paid leaves on weekdays, in order to distribute the demand for sightseeing sites which are congested on weekends. Can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to encouraging employees to take paid leaves, we have repeatedly received the opinions of tourism experts, including at the meetings of the Council for the Development of a Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan held at the Prime Minister’s Office. In particular, the Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan actually states that employers should be required to give employees an annual paid leave of five days, and thereby, increase the percentage of employees who take annual paid leaves from 47.6% in 2014 to 70% by 2020. In addition, we consider that encouraging employees to take paid leaves is extremely important, also from the standpoint of reforming the work style, including correcting long work hours. In line with the measures outlined in the Tourism Vision, the Government will take concrete steps to encourage the acquisition of paid leaves, with the cooperation of the business community.