Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A Japan-China summit meeting was held recently. What is the Government’s view on how this summit meeting has helped to improve Japan-China relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On July 8, for approximately 40 minutes Prime Minister Abe held a summit meeting with President Xi Jinping of China with simultaneous interpretation. The meeting enabled the leaders to engage in frank discussions with a view towards further improving Japan-China relations. There were also candid exchanges of opinions with regard to the urgent issue of North Korea. The Government will continue to work together with China towards the overall improvement of bilateral relations by expanding and strengthening their positive aspects while dealing appropriately with matters of concern between Japan and China. This meeting was therefore extremely fruitful overall.

REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic. On July 10 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe “The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region” in Fukuoka Prefecture on the World Heritage List. The advisory body had suggested that half of the sites to be included should be excluded, but ultimately all the nominated sites were included in the inscription. Can I ask for a comment from the Government on this outcome?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, yesterday, at the 41st Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Poland, a decision was made to inscribe on the World Heritage List “The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region,” which will become Japan’s 21st site to be inscribed on the list. In particular, although the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had recommended that some of the component sites that comprise this inscription be excluded, it was the strong wish of the local people for the Government to make every effort to ensure that all component sites be included. The Government therefore worked together with the local communities to explain the nominated sites to the World Heritage Committee, which ultimately resulted in the decision to inscribe all eight component sites. The Government welcomes this outcome as a testament to the enthusiasm of local organizations and individuals, who worked in cooperation with the Government. Following this latest inscription the Government will continue to promote Japan’s precious cultural assets globally and we will provide support to ensure that every effort is made to preserve them for the benefit of future generations.