Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on the overview of the Cabinet meeting, the ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, and others.)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a Japan-China summit meeting with President Xi Jinping during his visit to Viet Nam. Bilateral cooperation to deal with North Korea seems to be an important issue.  What is the Government’s expectations for this meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, arrangements are being made to hold a Japan-China summit meeting between Prime Minister Abe and President Xi Jinping on   the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and between Prime Minister Abe and Premier Li Keqiang on the margins of the ASEAN-related summit meetings. These Japan-China summit meetings will take place on the heels of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the snap general election of the House of Representatives in Japan. With the new reinforced leadership in both Japan and China, the Government expects that the two leaders will reach an agreement on further improving the bilateral relationship and deepen the relationship of trust between the leaders through these meetings, looking ahead to next year’s 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. With regard to the issues of North Korea in particular, China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and a member of the Six-Party Talks, and we view that China has an extremely important role as a country accounting for approximately 90% of North Korean trade. At the upcoming summit meetings we hope that candid and constructive exchanges of views will take place between the leaders regarding the complete implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions and the issues of North Korea.

REPORTER: On the one hand, Japan and China will need to collaborate on North Korea. On the other hand, there are a variety issues facing the two countries, such as the activities of Chinese government vessels around the Senkaku Islands, gas field development, the issues of the East and South China Seas, and history issues. Will these issues be on the agenda of the meetings?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, looking ahead to next year’s 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, various issues including the improvement of the Japan-China relationship and the situation in North Korea are to be  discussed. At this current point in time I would like to refrain from commenting on the content of the summit meeting. It is critically important that meetings are held between the leaders based on the principle of a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests.

REPORTER: An agreement at the ministerial level  was reached on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Can you please first share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Government sincerely welcomes that in the TPP negotiations among 11 countries that Japan has been leading, an agreement at the ministerial level was reached at a TPP ministerial meeting held in Viet Nam towards the prompt approval and entry into force of the agreement. A leaders’ meeting is scheduled to take place this afternoon. I have been briefed that in Viet Nam final arrangements are now being made so that an agreement at the leaders’ level can be confirmed at the TPP leaders’ meeting, which Prime Minister Abe will be co-chairing. By gaining the support of the leaders of the 11 countries, the Government will work closely with the other countries to bring the agreement into force as early as possible, in order to scale up the high-level trade and investment rules across the region.

REPORTER: I believe the countries are taking into consideration that the United States may return to this framework. What actions will the Government be taking to encourage the United States to return to TPP?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A leaders’ meeting will be held this afternoon, with the agreement yet to be finalized. At this time the agreement remains at the ministerial level. Given such circumstances, I should refrain from commenting about what will happen after the agreement.

(Abridged)