Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on a ministerial meeting and others.)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the topic and ask about the Northern Territories. Yesterday, local media reported that Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Petrovich Trutnev of Russia clearly expressed the intention to designate the Northern Territories as a special economic zone of the Russian government. It has been pointed out that if the territories are designated as a special economic zone, it may have an impact on the joint economic activities currently being advanced by Japan and Russia. Can you please share the Government’s response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, we are aware of these reports. The Government is currently monitoring the actions of the Russian side surrounding the Four Northern Islands, and gathering information and carrying out analysis regarding this matter. We will carry out an appropriate response. In any event, resolving the Northern Territories issue in itself is essential. The Government will continue carrying out steadfast negotiations with Russia based on the basic policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty with Russia.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It has been pointed out that with the timing of this recent discussion of a special economic zone occurring just prior to the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting being held during the G20 Summit, the Russian side may be trying to keep the Japanese side in check. How do you analyze the intention and goals of the Russian side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is gathering information and carefully analyzing the movements of the Russian side. In that context, the legal position of Japan regarding the Four Northern Islands still does not change, and we will continue to assert the views we have held until now.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In that case, is it your perception that there will be no impact on the Japan-Russia discussion regarding the joint economic activities in the Northern Territories?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As stated until now, the joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands are being discussed on the premise that they would not harm Japan’s legal position, and there has been no change to this stance. In any event, a joint public and private research team was recently dispatched to the Northern Territories. We will steadily proceed based on the results of its research.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You just stated that the Government is gathering information, but have you confirmed the facts of the matter with the Russian government regarding the recent reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will carry out an appropriate response while closely monitoring the movements of the Russian side.

REPORTER: My apologies, but I would like to confirm this. Does that mean you have not made any confirmation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated, Japan’s legal position has not changed.

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject and ask about one point regarding the Cabinet meeting. Could you please share the aim of the selection of Mr. Umemoto for the Government representative for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and furthermore your expectations for the TPP chief negotiators’ meeting which will begin next week in Hakone?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The most suitable person was selected based on his track record through now, and on the basis of selecting the right person for the right position.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about “fire ants.” A fire ant of an invasive non-native species with powerful venom was confirmed at the Oi cargo terminal in Tokyo yesterday. This is the fifth confirmation of the species that has been seen in several parts of Japan, and is the first time it has been found in the Kanto region. What measures will the Government take going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, while one red imported fire ant has been confirmed in a container at the Port of Tokyo, there is currently no evidence of breeding or infestation. On the other hand, this is the fifth case of red imported fire ant confirmation in Japan, and a queen has already been confirmed among the ants confirmed at Osaka Port. With the cooperation of the relevant ministries and agencies, the Government is devoting its full strength to a response. The Ministry of the Environment will carry out thorough exterminations if ants are discovered. In concrete terms, the Ministry has already investigated seven ports of the 22 ports planned to be investigated in order to discover and exterminate the red imported fire ants as soon as possible. Furthermore, on July 4, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism requested the ports which are on the regular shipping routes from China to carry out appropriate measures such as using poisoned bait, and these countermeasures are being carried out. Additionally, a liaison meeting for relevant ministries and agencies was held on July 3, and it was confirmed that they will cooperate to gather and share information, carry out thorough extermination along our coasts, and disseminate accurate information. They will strengthen their cooperation and devote their utmost efforts to the early discovery and extermination of red imported fire ants. The five ministries of the Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are cooperating to carry out response measures.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. I believe the red imported fire ants are difficult to distinguish at first glance from regular ants, and for that reason concerned opinions are spreading among people in the areas where the ants have been discovered. Can you please share any countermeasures that can be incorporated into everyday life, or other points to note?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, there is no evidence of any breeding or infestations outside of port areas, and I believe there will not be any large impact on everyday life in the near future. As a precaution, however, if people come across reddish ants that are about 2.5 to 6 millimeters, they should not touch them and instead report the sightings to the closest regional environment office of the Ministry of the Environment, or their local municipality. In the event a person is stung by an ant, they should rest for approximately 20 minutes, and if itching occurs across their whole body, or they experience shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness, there is a high probability the person was bitten by a red imported fire ant, and the person should be seen as soon as possible at the nearest hospital. Furthermore, references for distinguishing the ants, and the response that should be taken in the event of being stung are published on the homepage of the Ministry of the Environment, and I request people to refer to them. Additionally, the Government will proactively publicize this information.

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject. A Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit Meeting was held, and it was agreed in the meeting that there would be cooperation to place pressure on North Korea. The North Korea issue was the sole subject of the 75-minute meeting. How does the Government evaluate the result of this summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, from dawn Japan time today, a Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting was held for 75 minutes between Prime Minister Abe, President Trump, and President Moon, during which opinions were exchanged regarding the North Korea issue. As a result, four points were agreed upon between the three leaders. The first point was that it is necessary to increase the pressure of the international community against North Korea one level further. The second point was that there will be cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and the ROK, including on the sanctions decided by the U.S. against Chinese organizations and individuals. The third point was that China plays an extremely important role. It is necessary to make efforts to urge China to fulfill an even greater role. The fourth point was that the three nations will cooperate to ensure the G20 also sends a powerful message to North Korea. The leaders agreed on these four points. Prime Minister Abe also requested understanding and cooperation on the abduction issue, and received the support of both presidents. In this way, the response to North Korea going forward was aligned at the highest level between the three leaders at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting. Furthermore, the strong solidarity and cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and the ROK were demonstrated both domestically and internationally, and for that point I believe the summit meeting was extremely significant.

REPORTER: You just mentioned sanctions by the U.S. Will Japan also implement its own sanction measures in alignment with the U.S.?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As it was confirmed between the three leaders that Japan, the U.S., and the ROK will cooperate, I believe there will be firm cooperation.

REPORTER: I have one related question. Prime Minister Abe has stated that North Korea must show its sincere intention and concrete actions toward denuclearization in order for dialogue to take place. Do you believe understanding was obtained from the ROK side, which is exploring the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, regarding this point emphasized by Prime Minister Abe?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, as I have stated, it is necessary to increase the pressure of the international community against North Korea further. Furthermore, Japan, the U.S. and the ROK will cooperate, including on the sanctions against Chinese organizations and individuals. Additionally, as there is no doubt China plays an extremely important role, we will urge China to increase its role. The G20 will also send a strong message to North Korea. Regarding the aforementioned, these are the four points the three leaders confirmed with each other. This will cover everything in your question.

(Abridged)