Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the dual citizenship of President Renho of the Democratic Party. Ms. Renho gave a press conference yesterday and released a portion of her family register, which showed that she selected Japanese citizenship in October last year. Ms. Renho stated that maintaining dual citizenship for many years was not deliberate on her part. Can I ask for your views?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: 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 the Democratic Party President herself should explain.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to return to the matter of the partial release of Ms. Renho’s family register. Her release of a portion of her highly confidential family register resulted in a number of overheated online reports claiming that she has triple citizenship or is a spy. Given that there are currently between 400,000-500,000 people living in Japan who have dual citizenship, people have voiced opposition to such reports in that they could be seen as being oppressive of minorities living in Japan. Given that dual citizenship is currently not allowed, Ms. Renho suggested in the press conference yesterday that one option is to revise the Family Register Act. What is the current view of the Government with regard to the revision of the Family Register Act?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, this is a matter that concerns Ms. Renho personally, and I would therefore like to refrain from making any comment on behalf of the Government. This is a matter that the Democratic Party President herself should explain.

REPORTER: Japan’s major airline companies have started to respond to a request from the Government of the United States to strengthen pre-boarding checks on flights bound for the United States as part of counterterrorism measures, and have begun checks for explosive materials in passengers’ electronic devices. Although this new measure does not appear to have created congestion at airports, could I ask about the Government’s evaluation of this new measure and whether you think it is necessary to expand such checks to other flights?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I am aware that checks for explosive materials in electronic devices have been initiated on all flights from Japan to the United States from today, which was the deadline set by the Government of the United States for the initiation of such checks. The Government recognizes that it is important to ensure both security measures and convenience at airports, and instructions have been issued for airlines to cooperate with other parties concerned, including airport authorities, to ensure that measures are implemented thoroughly and smoothly. As of now there have not been any reports of congestion from airlines. With regard to the further expansion of such measures, I understand that the International Civil Aviation Organization is currently considering security measures for electronic devices. The Government will continue to watch the situation and developments in other countries closely and will respond thoroughly to ensure that Japan’s security measures are appropriately implemented.

(Abridged)