Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question related to the agreement in principle  on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). I believe the TPP also has the aspects of promoting security and the creation of regional order, so can you please give your thoughts once again on the significance of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, this morning I stated that the Government welcomes that an agreement in principle at the ministerial level was reached at the TPP ministerial meeting held in Viet Nam on the prompt entry into force of the agreement among the 11 countries on  which Japan has taken the initiative. The leaders’ meeting, co-chaired by Prime Minister Abe, is currently underway this afternoon, and I presume final arrangements are being made there. By gaining the support of the leaders of the 11 countries in order to scale up the high-level trade and investment rules across the region, I imagine that coordination with each country is currently being conducted toward the earliest possible entry into force of the agreement.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe there is no change to the stance that Japan and the United States share to pursue free trade. Can you please tell us your thoughts from this perspective on actions that will be taken to urge the United States to return to TPP?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, there has still been no formal decision. I have only received a briefing that the leaders’ meeting is currently being held, so it is my conjecture that the final arrangements are being made.

REPORTER: As the United States is showing a willingness to engage in bilateral trade negotiations with Japan, what is the significance of the agreement in principle among the 11 countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I previously stated, it is my hope that by gaining the support of the leaders of the 11 countries, the earliest possible entry into force of the agreement can be realized in order to scale up the high-level trade and investment rules across the region. Because the final arrangements are currently underway at the leaders’ meeting, I would like to still refrain from making specific comments.