Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: According to some media outlets, coinciding with the Japan-China summit meeting, which is supposed to take place in May, a formal agreement would be reached to begin operation of the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism, which aims at averting incidental collisions between the Self-Defense Forces and Chinese forces. Could you tell us the current status of the arrangements and your outlook for such agreement?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism between the Defense Authorities of Japan and China that you have just mentioned, I would like to refrain from making comments on the detailed status of the arrangements, as our counterpart is also involved. In any event, our two countries have confirmed the importance of the early implementation of this mechanism on various occasions. Taking into consideration also the positive progress made in the Japan-China High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs last December, we will continue to exert every effort to develop and begin operation of this mechanism as early as possible.
 
(Abridged)