Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Law for Partial Amendment of the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes and Control of Crime Proceeds and Other Laws. The Government has stated that the reason for the passage of this law was to conclude the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), so could you tell us the specific outlook with regard to the timing of the conclusion of the Convention and its entry into force?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today Japan is scheduled to deposit the instrument of acceptance of the UNTOC with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Japan will become the 188th State party to the Convention. In the event that the instrument of acceptance is deposited today, the UNTOC will enter into force for Japan on August 10.

REPORTER: Various discussions are taking place in a committee of the Science Council of Japan on the ways of utilizing genome editing technologies. With regard to basic research relating to the application of such technologies in reproductive medicine, is the Government currently considering the formulation of national guidelines, or looking into the creation of laws or regulations that would prohibit the clinical application of such technologies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Expert Panel on Bioethics under the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation issued an interim report in April last year concerning research using genome editing technology for human fertilization and embryos. A task force has been established to consider more specific details and this task force is currently engaging in intensive considerations. The Government will continue to monitor discussions in the task force and I am aware that the ministries and agencies concerned, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will consider a concrete response based on the outcomes of deliberations in the task force. The Government will also continue to note the discussions that take place in the Science Council of Japan on this issue and the ministries and agencies concerned will work together to advance considerations.