Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: Foreign Minister Kono, who visited the Republic of Korea (ROK), held a meeting with President Moon Jae-in yesterday. During the meeting, the Government requested the ROK to raise the abduction issue at the inter-Korean summit. It was reported that President Moon did not provide a clear answer. Could you please share the Government’s comment regarding this matter?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, according to the explanation of the ROK, at the inter-Korean summit to be held on April 27, the leaders of the ROK and North Korea are to hold discussions on a variety of areas without coordinating a detailed agenda that the leaders are to follow one by one prior to the meeting; it is also expected that various issues would be touched upon in the course of extensive discussions, including denuclearization, the inter-Korea relations, the U.S.-North Korea relations, and the Japan-North Korea relations. In any event, the Government has requested the ROK to raise the abduction issue at the upcoming summit meeting, and the two countries have agreed to continue their cooperation on this issue. As it involves our exchanges with the ROK, I would like to refrain from providing any further details.
 
REPORTER: When Prime Minister Abe visits the United States from April 17, he is scheduled to request President Trump for his cooperation on this issue. Could you please explain once again what steps the Government of Japan intends to take to achieve the early return of the abductees?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The resolution of the abduction issue is a top priority of the Abe administration. Following our firm stance to request everything which is possible, Minister Kono has requested the supports not only to the ROK President but also to other leaders in the ROK Government when he visited the ROK. As to the relations between Japan and the U.S., the Government of Japan will also continue to make persistent efforts to seek the cooperation not only from the U.S. President but also the Secretaries involved.
 
(Abridged)