Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question related to North Korea’s missile launches. North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency has issued a statement asserting that if Japan continues to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile developments by expressing condemnation in international meetings and promoting the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolutions that impose sanctions on North Korea, in the case of a contingency, North Korea may reduce the entire Japanese archipelago to ashes, before the United States. How does the Government view this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Not only this statement but all of North Korea’s provocative behavior poses a clear challenge to the security of the region and the international community, and is totally unacceptable. Amid the increasingly severe security environment in the region, I believe it is first of all important to ensure the deterrence ability of the United States. During both the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting on May 26 and the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ telephone talk on June 3, both sides agreed to take concrete actions to enhance the defense structure and capability of Japan and the United States, in order to deter North Korea. We will strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. At the same time, Japan will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance, while promoting close cooperation among Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, and take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of the people. Needless to say, we also intend to work closely together with China and Russia.

(Abridged)