Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding North Korea. According to the U.S. media, Premier Xi Jinping will visit Pyongyang very soon. Please share with us any information that the Government is aware of.
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making comments on individual news reports. In any case, Japan is constantly engaged in collecting information on and analyzing matters related to North Korea, including the recent China-North Korea relations, with grave interest. Furthermore, we also have engaged in in-depth discussions with State Councilor Wang Yi during his recent visit to Japan.
 
REPORTER: So, based on its analysis, does the Government see that, as the Japan-U.S. summit meeting takes place, North Korea is facing a situation where it increasingly needs to obtain support from China?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan is constantly engaged in information collection and analysis. Meanwhile, I would like to refrain from making comments on each of the details.
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the recent development in the Diet. Minister Aso’s attendance at the upcoming G20 meeting was not approved at the meeting of directors of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the House of Representatives. The opposition parties argued that dealing with the recent issues related to the Ministry of Finance should take priority over the G20 and the Committee could not reach a consensus. What are your thoughts on this decision by the Diet?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In light of various developments related to the unstable global financial markets as well as trade policy issues, along with major shifts in international affairs, such as the inauguration of a new administration in China, the meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, which is scheduled to take place from April 19 in the United States, is an important occasion during which Japan should work together with other countries and communicate its views. In particular, as Japan holds the 2019 G20 Presidency, the Government believes it necessary that Minister Aso attend the upcoming G20 meeting, in order for Japan to firmly fulfil its responsibility as the next G20 President. We will thoroughly explain the significance of the meeting and the necessity of Minister Aso’s attendance.
 
REPORTER: In the past, there were cases where ministers have travelled abroad without obtaining the approval of the Diet, citing the fact that the decisions of the Diet are not binding.
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government will thoroughly explain the significance of the meeting and the necessity of Minister Aso’s attendance to gain the understanding of the Diet.
 
(Abridged)