Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: My question is about the presidential election in Russia. President Putin has secured a fourth term in office. Are there any plan for a Japan-Russia summit telephone talk so that Prime Minister Abe can convey a congratulatory message, or any other plans?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I noted in the press conference this morning, Japan and Russia are important partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The Government therefore considers it to be of the utmost importance for regional stability and development that Japan and Russia, which are major regional powers, build stable relations and deepen cooperation. Even after President Putin’s inauguration as re-elected President of Russia, we will continue to advance cooperative efforts to further develop Japan-Russia relations. We are to convey this view to Russia as soon as possible. Meanwhile, as this is a diplomatic exchange, I would like to refrain from making any further comment on when at this moment.
 
REPORTER: I have a question about the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States. I understand that you provided an explanation about the visit in the Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties today. Could you tell us about the current status of the arrangements?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are currently making arrangements for a visit by Prime Minister Abe to the United States next month and to hold a summit meeting with President Trump. At the current point, the details have yet to be confirmed. While I would like to refrain from conjecturing at this time on the specific agenda for the summit meeting, I would say that to date Japan and the U.S. have closely coordinated policies with regard to areas of mutual concern, including policies towards North Korea, at various levels of government, including summit and foreign minister levels. I expect that the two leaders would engage in a candid exchange of views on a broad range of issues, including our policy towards North Korea when Prime Minister Abe visits the U.S. next month.
 
REPORTER: In today’s liaison meeting you explained that arrangements are being made towards a mid-April visit to the United States. So are we to understand that the visit will take place in mid-April?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That has not been decided yet.
 
(Abridged)