Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (PM)(Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today in a meeting of the Rules and Administration Standing Committees  of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, in response to a question from opposition parties about the purpose of the next session of the Diet, I hear that you answered that it is to respond to various issues at home and overseas relating to the lives of the people of Japan. Could you tell us in specific terms what the Government will be seeking to achieve in this regard in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is a fact that there are various issues that require a response. For example, in international affairs there is the issue of North Korea to respond to, and in domestic affairs there is the issue of responding to natural disasters.

REPORTER: The Prime Minister has stated that he will make a decision on the timing of the dissolution of the Diet after returning from his overseas visit. If the Prime Minister were to announce the dissolution of the Diet in his opening speech, would that contradict   the explanation you have given in this press conference today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from responding to what is a hypothetical matter. In any event, the authority to dissolve the Diet rests with the Prime Minister, as stipulated in the Constitution.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about North Korea Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho’s comments about a hydrogen bomb test. In a press conference today, Defense Minister Onodera has voiced the concern that if a ballistic missile is used as a means of transport for such a test, the possibility cannot be denied from the past ballistic missile cases that it will fly over Japan . Is the Government considering any kind of response measure to such a scenario?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the provocative words and actions of North Korea constitute clear provocations to the security of Japan, the region and the international community, and are entirely unacceptable. In the recent Japan-United States-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting, the leaders confirmed that they will work closely together to strengthen pressure on North Korea, including by fully implementing the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and that they will make further calls on the international community, including China and Russia, to do likewise, and continue to engage in security and defense cooperation. Japan will continue to advance Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, including in security-related areas that will enable us to respond to any situation, doing everything we can to ensure the safety of the people.

REPORTER: What is the Government’s analysis of the possibility of North Korea engaging in provocative actions in the near future, including not necessarily a hydrogen bomb test, but the launch of further ballistic missiles?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In response to provocative actions by North Korea, the Government has an advanced surveillance and monitoring structure in place to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people of Japan and we are in a high state of readiness to respond to any situation at any time.

REPORTER: I have a question about the statement issued by Chairman Kim Jong-un, in which he states that North Korea is seriously considering implementing countermeasures. How do you interpret the phrase “seriously considering”?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is something you should ask North Korea. We are constantly collecting and analyzing various information, but due to its nature I would like to refrain from going into detail.

REPORTER: Given that a North Korean official has indicated that a hydrogen bomb test could be conducted, what is the Government’s analysis of the intentions of such a comment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on individual statements issued by North Korea. What I would say is that we are collecting and analyzing information relating to all possible scenarios.

(Abridged)