Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(Abridged)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)

REPORTER: At a public speaking event on December 12, United States Secretary of State Tillerson stated that the United States is prepared to enter into dialogue with North Korea without precondition. He also stated that it is not realistic to say the United States will only talk if North Korea comes to the table ready to give up their nuclear and missile programs. These comments would appear to contradict the shared policy of Japan and the United States to date, so can I ask for a comment from the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State at a public speaking event. I would add that in the multiple Japan-U.S. summit meetings to date, the two leaders have engaged in frank discussions on North Korea policy and have confirmed that their concepts are 100 percent in alignment, including on the point of placing maximum pressure on North Korea. In addition, I am aware that the White House has announced that there is no change to its current policy. There is no change to our policy of continuing to work closely with the United States, using all means to place maximum pressure on North Korea to make it change its policies.

REPORTER: Can we understand, therefore, that contrary to Secretary Tillerson’s remarks the policy of Japan and the United States continues to be that dialogue for the sake of dialogue is meaningless?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, as it is the case that the White House has recently announced that there is no change to its thinking on North Korea.

REPORTER: I have a question about Japan-China relations. Today marks the 80th anniversary of the occupation of Nanjing by the Imperial Japanese Army and a memorial ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall in Nanjing. For the first time this will be a Government-organized event and President Xi Jinping is scheduled to attend the ceremony. A reporter from the Sankei Shimbun has been denied entry to the event. You have previously stated that guaranteeing freedom of expression is essential in any country, so can I ask for a comment on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, as the ceremony to which you referred is a ceremony that is taking place domestically in China, I would like to refrain from making any comment on behalf of the Government. Furthermore, with regard to historical issues, we continue to engage with China on various levels, but I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of diplomatic interactions. I would add that in the series of recent Japan-China summit meetings the leaders have confirmed the importance of further improving bilateral relations. The Government considers it important to mutually demonstrate a future-oriented stance as we continue to build on the recent momentum to improve relations. With regard to the point about press coverage you mentioned, as I am unaware of this matter I would like to refrain from commenting.

(Abridged)