Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on the overview of the extraordinary Cabinet meeting.)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the situation in North Korea. A senior official from the Communist Party of China is scheduled to visit North Korea as a special envoy of President Xi Jinping tomorrow. The two sides are expected to discuss the nuclear and missile issues, and some have expressed hope that this action by China would lead to a breakthrough in the North Korea issue. Given that the Government of Japan has been encouraging China to play a proactive role,  what is your analysis of China’s latest action?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to refrain from commenting on every news report. In any event, at the recent Japan-U.S. summit meeting, the leaders agreed that Japan and the United States will play a leading role in utilizing all means to step up pressure on North Korea to the maximum to cause North Korea to change its policies, in close collaboration with the international community. In addition, similarly, at the recent Japan-China summit meeting, the leaders agreed that the denuclearization of North Korea is a shared goal of the two countries and that they will further strengthen their collaboration. With regard to the issue of North Korea, the Government will continue to work closely with the relevant countries to strengthen pressure and cause North Korea to change its policies.

REPORTER: Is the Government currently compiling a policy or a plan assuming that an emergency on the Korean Peninsula results in a surge of displaced people from North Korea to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It has already been determined that, in any event, the relevant ministries and agencies will collaborate and take the necessary measures in accordance with laws and ordinances to deal with displaced persons , while I will not specify which. I would like to refrain from commenting on what considerations the Government is making due to the nature of the matter.

REPORTER: A capsized small wooden boat was discovered off the coast of the Noto Peninsula yesterday. The men on board allegedly have North Korean citizenship. The boat is believed to have been a fishing boat that was fishing and have North Korean nationality. Can you tell us what you know?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, yesterday a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol vessel rescued three men who were standing on top of the bottom part of a capsized small fishing boat off the northern coast of the Noto Peninsula. All three of the rescued men are North Korean nationals and have said they wished to return to North Korea. I understand they have informed that 15 people were on board the aforementioned ship. The JCG is now making arrangements for the three rescued individuals to return to North Korea as well as searching for the remaining crew.

REPORTER: What is your view on whether the boat may have been conducting illegal operations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, we are now making the overall arrangements while conducting interviews.