Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It has come to light that the Chinese submarine that was traveling the waters off the coast of the Senkaku Islands was a nuclear-powered attack submarine. Can you please comment on this matter? In addition, what is your view regarding this incident’s impact on the Japan-China relationship?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the matter you have noted, I have been informed that on the afternoon of January 12, Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers confirmed that a submarine, which was navigating Japan’s contiguous zone surrounding the Senkaku Islands on January 11, surfaced in the East China Sea northwest of the Senkaku Islands and traveled the waters hoisting a Chinese flag. While the details are still being analyzed, at this point in time, we believe, based on the photographs that were taken and other materials, that it was a Shang-class nuclear-powered submarine. On January 11 and 12, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Sugiyama expressed serious concerns to H.E. Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of China to Japan, as well as lodged a strong protest and urged China to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

(Abridged)