Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic. I believe that you have just received a visit from Mayor Sakima of Ginowan City in Okinawa Prefecture. Could you tell us what you discussed in your meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Mayor Sakima came to visit me today to express his appreciation for measures that have been incorporated in the Government’s Basic Policies 2017, including the start of work towards the relocation of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of the Ryukyus and the University Hospital, as well as the relocation of Futenma High School. The mayor also explained about the Futenma Future Fund, which was newly established by Ginowan City on July 1. The fund is for the purpose of preparing for the return of the U.S. base at Futenma, and for developing human resources for the future who will be active in the area that will be returned, rich in potential. The mayor is acting as the foremost salesperson for this initiative and he is working to promote the fund to companies and individuals in various sectors. The Government also will be supporting this initiative.

REPORTER: So at your meeting did you indicate to Mayor Sakima that the Government will be supportive of this fund?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: If the city would like Government support we would be happy to assist.

REPORTER: Is the Government contemplating any specific ways to support this initiative?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe this will take the form of the Government introducing to the mayor, people who will support the objectives of the fund.

REPORTER: Following North Korea’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) a great deal of attention is being focused on whether it will go ahead with another nuclear test. At the same time however, there is also a view that North Korea was involved in the recent series of cyberattacks that targeted the financial networks of more than 10 countries, including the United States, and also the global cyberattack in May, in which more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries and regions were infected by a ransomware virus. These attacks have focused the discussion on what constitutes a “red line” in terms of cyberattacks, so could I ask about the Government’s analysis of North Korea’s cyberattack technologies and capabilities and their potential impact on Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, it has been suggested that North Korea may be involved in the cyberattacks you mentioned. The Government is working on a daily basis with the United States and other countries concerned to gather and analyze information. Due to the nature of this matter I would like to refrain from going into specific details. Speaking in general terms, the Government recognizes that cyber security is vital from the perspectives of crisis management and security in order to maintain economic growth. We will continue to strengthen our cyber security measures with a due sense of urgency.

REPORTER: In terms of a potential emergency situation, what is the Government’s view about the possibility of a large-scale cyberattack occurring at the same time or around the same time as a missile launch by North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is also a matter on which we are working with the United States and other countries. We continue to collect and analyze information, making every effort to be able to respond to any situation.