Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There was a statement on the overview of the Cabinet meeting.)

Q&As

(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I have a question about the shooting incident in Las Vegas in the United States. Could you tell us what information the Government currently has about any injuries to Japanese nationals?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the afternoon of October 2, Japan time, a shooting incident occurred that caused a tremendous number of fatalities and injuries. According to local police authorities at least 59 people have been killed and more than 500 are injured. We cannot tolerate such an indiscriminate and massive shooting incident for any reason and I resolutely condemn it. The Government wishes to convey its sincerest condolences to all the victims and their families and hopes that those who were injured will recover as soon as possible. Japan expresses its solidarity with the Government of the United States and the people of the United States as they try to overcome this difficult time. Immediately following the incident, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco established a local response headquarters. A consulate official has been dispatched to Las Vegas and all efforts are being made to confirm the safety of Japanese nationals. At the current point in time there is no information to suggest that any Japanese nationals have been among the victims of this incident. Following the incident, overseas safety information and a warning were issued on the overseas safety website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, alert e-mails have been sent to Japanese residents and short-term travelers who have registered with the Tabi-Regi (Travel Register) system.

REPORTER: According to local police authorities a woman who was in a relationship with the suspect is reported to be currently in Tokyo. Have you received any information on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is not aware of this. At the current point in time we do not have any information with regard to this matter.

REPORTER: I believe that a Cabinet order that was approved in today’s Cabinet meeting relates to sanctions on North Korea. Could you tell us about its content?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, under the stipulations of the recently adopted United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 2371 and 2375, new “items prohibited from being transferred, etc., to North Korea” were added. Under Japan’s own measures against North Korea, it is already the case that the export and import of all such items is prohibited. In addition, Japan is already implementing so-called “catch-all controls” based on the Act on Special Measures concerning Cargo Inspections etc., which was introduced in April. In addition to the above, in today’s Cabinet meeting the revision to the implementation ordinance of the Act on Special Measures concerning Cargo Inspections etc., was approved. This is for the purpose of ensuring that, based on the Act, a comprehensive structure is in place for inspection measures relating to transactions between North Korea and third-party countries, thus ensuring the full implementation of relevant UNSC resolutions. The Government will continue to work closely with the United States and other countries concerned, utilizing the forum of the UNSC Sanctions Committee on North Korea, as we take a leading role in calling on all UN member states to fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions.

(Abridged)