Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question about sanctions against North Korea. In an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Ms. Nikki Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, stated that President Trump has requested President Xi Jinping of China to halt the supply of oil to North Korea. What is the Government’s assessment of President Trump’s idea to further restrict oil exports to North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to refrain from commenting about interactions between third countries. I would add that, in the recent Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk on November 29, the two leaders shared the view that China should be encouraged to play a further role in putting pressure on North Korea. The Government will continue to closely monitor measures implemented by China and will call on China and Russia to play a constructive role.

REPORTER: You have just noted that in yesterday’s Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk the two leaders agreed on the importance of China playing a further role. Is there a possibility that Japan will call on China to further restrict exports of oil to North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, China has an extremely important role to play, and at the  summit meetings the leaders have confirmed that pressure will be placed on North Korea at every available opportunity provided. Therefore, we will continue to respond accordingly.

REPORTER: In the Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk yesterday did President Trump specifically mention anything about halting supplies of oil?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from responding about the details of the summit telephone talk. Having said that, both leaders did agree that both countries will continue to increase pressure on North Korea to make it change its policies.

REPORTER: North Korea has released photos of the ballistic missile launch. What is the Government’s current analysis of the launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is still conducting comprehensive and technical analyses on the details of the missile launch, based on various sources of information. At the current point, in view of the distance flown and the altitude reached by the missile, as well as North Korea’s announcement that it was a new Hwasong-15-type missile, and also given the rounded shape of the tip of the warhead, it is considered that this was a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-class missile that was different from the two ICBM-class missiles launched in July.

REPORTER: It has been observed that if this latest missile had been launched at a conventional trajectory it would have a maximum range exceeding 10,000 km. What is the Government’s analysis on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have just noted and as I also stated yesterday, the Government is collecting and analyzing information and considers that it may have been an ICBM-class missile. In any event, while working with the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), we will continue to engage in surveillance and monitoring and collect information with a sense of urgency.

REPORTER: Now that an emergency meeting of the UNSC has been convened what is the Government’s outlook concerning moves to increase pressure on North Korea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, at the request of Japan, the United States, and the ROK, an emergency meeting of the UNSC was convened this morning, November 30, Japan time. The members of the UNSC made statements strongly condemning North Korea’s recent launch of a ballistic missile and I believe the emergency meeting demonstrated the unity of the UNSC in taking a hardline stance against North Korea. The Government will seriously consider further actions in collaboration with countries concerned, from the perspective of further increasing pressure in the most effective manner towards the comprehensive resolution of the outstanding issues of concern. As you are aware, Japan will assume the presidency of the UNSC in December and we intend to make full use of this opportunity.

REPORTER: China and Russia have indicated their disinclination to strengthen sanctions against North Korea. Will Japan and the United States seek to persuade them otherwise in the forum of the United Nations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the recent meeting of the UNSC both China and Russia confirmed that a common goal is to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea. In addition, both countries also expressed their opposition to North Korea’s violation of UNSC resolutions and emphasized the importance of compliance with all relevant resolutions. We share the same recognition on these points. With Japan, the United States, and the ROK taking the lead, we will continue to collaborate and cooperate with China and Russia in increasing pressure on North Korea to cause it to change its policies.

REPORTER: President Trump has stated via Twitter that the United States will impose further large-scale sanctions of its own against North Korea. If the United States goes forward with the implementation of further sanctions, will or will not Japan follow suit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will continue to consider its actions from the perspective of further increasing pressure in the most effective manner towards the resolution of the outstanding issues of concern.