Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Chief Representative Yamaguchi of the Komeito party announced that he will be visiting the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China this week and next week, respectively. He stated that inter-party exchanges will be the focus of this visit. Can you tell us what expectations the Government has ahead of the Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting if any?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: I understand that Chief Representative Yamaguchi of Komeito will visit the ROK from November 22 to 25 and China from November 30 to December 2.

REPORTER: When Chief Representative Yamaguchi last visited China, he held a meeting with President Xi Jinping and handed him a letter from Prime Minister Abe. Will the Chief Representative be doing the same in this upcoming visit?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: Nothing is decided at this point in time with regard to a meeting or such kind of letter.

REPORTER: The Yomiuri Shimbun has reported that the Government has begun considering developing cruise missiles. The missiles are referred to as the Japanese version of Tomahawk due to the many commonalities they share with the Tomahawk missiles of the United States. Is this true?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: In the FY2018 budget request, I understand that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) included 7.7 billion yen for technical research on a new anti-ship missile to defend remote islands. This research will be conducted as part of the enhancement of functions and capabilities which are prioritized in the current National Defense Program Guidelines, taking into account anti-ship attacks for the sake of defending Japan’s remote islands. The research is not for the purpose of ground attacks and possessing capabilities to attack enemy bases. The Government of Japan depends on the United States for so-called attacks on enemy bases. At this time the Self-Defense Forces do not possess, nor has plans to possess, equipment systems to attack enemy bases. For more information please direct your questions to MOD.

(Abridged)