Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting. I believe that the Government is making arrangements with a view to achieving a trilateral Japan-China-ROK summit meeting in the near future, but various press reports are suggesting that a possible meeting next month has now been postponed. Does the Government still intend to hold a trilateral summit before the end of the year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently making arrangements with a view to holding the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit at an appropriate time this year, but at the current point no specific details have been confirmed with regard to timing.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The National Congress of the Communist Party of China is scheduled for the autumn, when senior government positions are expected to be decided. Is it the case that the timing of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit will be delayed until after the National Congress so as not to affect the internal affairs of China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is currently making arrangements with a view to holding the summit at an appropriate time this year.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Prime Minister’s visit to Fukushima, which you mentioned in your opening statement. The Prime Minister will be visiting a business center that will serve as a reconstruction hub and also a special nursing care home. Could you tell us about the aims of this visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister regularly visits local communities that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. On these visits, he engages in discussions with local residents about what the Government needs to do with regard to reconstruction efforts, including at facilities that are hubs for reconstruction efforts and locations that have regained their vitality following the earthquake.

REPORTER: With regard to the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, is the Government considering a visit to China by Prime Minister Abe? Also, how does the Prime Minister seek to improve relations with China going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is the current chair of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit process and therefore we are currently making arrangements with a view to holding the summit at an appropriate time this year in Japan.

REPORTER: The seventh round meeting and working group meetings of the Japan-China high-level consultation on maritime affairs are being held in Fukuoka. What outcomes does the Government expect from this meeting with regard to such matters as issues relating to the East China Sea and the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: China is an extremely important neighbor for Japan. It is within the framework of our Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests that the seventh round meeting and working group meetings of the Japan-China high-level consultation on maritime affairs are being held today and tomorrow in Fukuoka. These meetings provide a mechanism for regular consultations between the two countries on maritime affairs and it is expected that discussions on a broad range of issues of mutual interest will take place between maritime-related agencies and organizations of the two countries. Through these consultations, we hope to enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation.