Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I believe that Foreign Minister Kono and H.E. Mr. Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, will be holding a meeting on February 22. Mongolia has a history of having a close relationship with North Korea. With the situation changing daily, could you please once again explain your views related to your expectations from Mongolia on the North Korean issues?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The meeting is scheduled for February 22. I anticipate that, at the meeting, the foreign ministers would discuss the issues facing the international community, including North Korea, in addition to those related the Japan-Mongolia relations and agree to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. In particular, with regard to the North Korean issues, we expect that they would spend adequate time analyzing the situation and would coordinate the policies closely. Dialogue for the sake of dialogue with North Korea is absolutely meaningless. We hope that the two countries will confirm the importance of using all available means to put maximum pressure on North Korea in order to compel it to change its policies. With regard to the abduction issue, we will convey our views to Mongolia and fully seek the understanding and cooperation towards the swift resolution to the abduction issue. In any event, the Government will advance close cooperation between Japan and the United States and among Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as with other relevant countries including Mongolia, in urging North Korea to take concrete actions for the resolution to this issue.
 
(Abridged)