Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the situation in North Korea. The Office of the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) stated that President Moon Jae-in referred to denuclearization of North Korea during his meeting on February 25 with North Korean officials, including Kim Yong-chol, Director of the United Front Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Local media have also reported that President Moon noted on a specific roadmap for denuclearization. Please tell us whether the ROK informed the Government of these comments in advance?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, I would like to refrain from making comments on individual press reports. In any event, in dealing with North Korea, Japan always carries out close cooperation between Japan and the ROK and among Japan, the United States and the ROK. Regarding the interactions with the North Korean delegation, the ROK fully shared information with us, and, at the same time, the policies were coordinated among Japan, the United States, and the ROK. While I would like to refrain from making comments on the exchanges between the ROK and North Korea, it is extremely important that we obtain information from the ROK. In order to conduct meaningful dialogue with North Korea, North Korea must commit to the abandonment of its nuclear and missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner, and concrete actions must be presented to this end. In any event, I would like to mention that our position is unwavering.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: President Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed his intention to facilitate North Korea’s participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. If the IOC does so, Japan might also need to address this matter as the host country. What are the Government’s thoughts on this matter?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, we are aware that President Bach expressed such intention you have just mentioned. Meanwhile, the Government, would like to refrain from commenting on each and every view of the President of the IOC. In any event, the Government will make extensive efforts for the success of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, working in coordination with the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and other parties.
 
(Abridged)