Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There was a statement on the overview of the Cabinet meeting.)
 
Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I have a question on a different topic. According to the Washington Post and other media, the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting could be postponed from May to June or July. Could you share with us any information the Government is aware of related to this matter?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to refrain from making comments on individual media reports. To date, the Government of the United States has not made any particular announcement on the specific date for the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. In any event, the Government would like to closely coordinate our policies toward North Korea among Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), utilizing all opportunities, including Foreign Minister Kono’s ongoing visit to the U.S. and Prime Minister Abe’s upcoming visit in early April, with a view to eliciting concrete actions from North Korea through the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea summit meetings.
 
REPORTER: Are we to understand that there will be no change to the timing of the Japan-U.S. summit meeting that is currently scheduled for April even if the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting is postponed by one or two months?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: On the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, it is correct.
 
REPORTER: It was reported that since early February, North Korea has conducted approximately 8,000 cyberattacks on the ROK. Could you share with us the details on whether Japan has been experiencing similar attacks?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is constantly collecting and analyzing information with the greatest concern on cyberattacks by North Korea. Due to the nature of this issue, I would like to refrain from commenting on specific content of information and analyses.
 
REPORTER: I have a question on the situation in North Korea. Could you tell us whether it is the Government’s view that North Korea is still continuing nuclear and missile development and if it could further advance nuclear and missile development in the case the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting is postponed until June or July?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, on the one hand, North Korea is seeking dialogue with the international community. On the other hand, it is still the case that it is continuing with nuclear and missile development. The basic position of the Government is that we must not be blinded by North Korea’s diplomatic charm offensive. While I would like to avoid responding to a hypothetical question, what I would say is that there is no change in our position of continuously engaging in close Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation and applying maximum pressure on North Korea to make it change its policies, using all methods available.