Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

(Abridged)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the dual citizenship of President Renho of the Democratic Party. Ms. Renho is scheduled to hold a press conference from 5:00 p.m. today to address the matter of her dual citizenship. It is expected that details will be provided in the press conference, which is attracting attention from various perspectives, one of which is that this issue could encourage discrimination. What is your view of the issue concerning the dual citizenship of Ms. Renho?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I am not aware of the details concerning the issue of President Renho’s dual citizenship. As this is a matter that concerns Ms. Renho personally, I would like to refrain from making any comment on behalf of the Government. In any event, this is a matter that she as a Diet member should explain herself.

REPORTER: More than ten months have passed since the issue of Ms. Renho’s dual citizenship first emerged, so what are your thoughts on her holding a press conference to provide fresh explanations after such a lengthy period?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government would like to refrain from commenting. In any event, this is a matter that I believe Ms. Renho will herself explain.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning efforts to secure stocks of Pacific saury. At the meeting of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC), which ended on July 15, Japan proposed measures to secure stocks and establish catch quotas for Pacific saury. Agreement could not be reached on this proposal due to opposition from China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Russia. Can I ask for a comment about this outcome?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the meeting of the NPFC was held from July 13 to 15 in Sapporo, where various discussions took place, including on conservation and management measures for Pacific saury and chub mackerel. In terms of the outcomes of the meeting, I have received a report that based on a proposal tabled by Japan relating to Pacific saury and chub mackerel, members agreed to prohibit further increases in registered fishing vessels, which will apply to countries and regions such as China and Taiwan. However, agreement could not be reached on the assignment of country-by-country catch quotas for Pacific saury, and it was agreed that measures to conserve and manage Pacific saury stocks would remain in place for a one-year limited period and would be reconsidered and discussed at the NPFC annual meeting next year. The Government considers that the agreement on prohibiting further increases in the number of vessels registered to catch Pacific saury and chub mackerel represents a step forward toward appropriate resource management. Based on this agreement Japan will continue to work with countries and regions concerned to ensure that stocks are managed appropriately.

REPORTER: The fishing season for Pacific saury off the east coast of Hokkaido starts in earnest from August, and given that an agreement on quotas was not reached in the recent meeting the current situation will continue, where both Taiwan and China are actually catching large volumes of fish. How will the Government approach the countries and regions concerned with a view to achieving a breakthrough?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, as I have just noted, although agreement could not be reached in the meeting on the assignment of country-by-country catch quotas, agreement was reached on prohibiting further increases in the number of registered fishing vessels, as a means of strengthening resource management. I have received a report that at the meeting, based on a proposal from Japan an agreement was also reached that member countries and regions will adopt a list of registered fishing vessels in order to eliminate illegal and unregistered fishing operations, and will also cooperate to resolve issues relating to illegal fishing in territorial waters or exclusive economic zones as defined by international treaties. The Government considers that these measures represent a step forward toward appropriate resource management and elimination of illegal fishing. We will continue to work with countries and regions concerned to take steady measures to ensure that stocks are managed appropriately based on scientific evidence and that Japanese fishing businesses can engage in stable operations.

(Abridged)