Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced yesterday that Chinese authorities have detained 35 Japanese nationals on suspicion of fraud in Fujian Province. What is the Government’s view of this? What are the facts that the Government is aware of?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the matter you mentioned, it is the case that the National Police Agency of Japan issued a request to the Ministry of Public Security of China for cooperation in investigations seeking to confirm the whereabouts of suspects involved in cases of illegal internet banking transactions. I have received a report that the Ministry of Public Security of China through its own investigations identified a criminal group that could be involved in fraudulent banking transfers and that 35 Japanese nationals have been detained based on Chinese domestic law, including the persons whose whereabouts the National Police Agency had sought to confirm. I understand that Chinese authorities are currently investigating the case and therefore I would like to refrain from making any further comment. In any event, the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Public Security are engaging in regular consultations and will continue to cooperate in the investigation.

REPORTER: Although Japan does not have an extradition treaty in place with China, does the Government intend to request the Chinese authorities to hand over the Japanese suspects?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting as the case is under investigation by Chinese authorities.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has surveyed the status of cybersecurity measures in 193 member states and announced a ranking. Singapore is ranked top, followed by the United States, and Japan lies in 12th position. ITU has observed that Japan struggles with public-private cooperation in this sector and also with creating incentive mechanisms. Could you tell us your thoughts including what you think about this ranking?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the case that among the 193 member states Japan ranks in 12th position. The Government recognizes that it is of the utmost importance to engage in public-private cooperation in promoting cybersecurity measures and also to create incentive mechanisms that will help to strengthen cybersecurity measures. Today a meeting of the Cybersecurity Strategic Headquarters was held and in this meeting it was decided that various measures will be accelerated and enhanced through public-private cooperation, including the development and operation of multi-sectoral networks for the purpose of exchanging information on cybersecurity. The Government will make every effort to work together with the international community in the area of cybersecurity and we will also provide detailed explanations of our initiatives to international organizations.