Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the business trip by Defense Minister Onodera. At the meeting of the directors of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the House of Representatives, the proposed visit by Minister Onodera to Washington, DC, the United States was not approved due to opposition from the opposition parties’ directors. They were opposed on the grounds that the Minister should give priority to dealing with the daily report issue. Could you please explain the significance of this visit and whether the Minister would still make this visit without the approval?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the security environment surrounding Japan is extremely severe as represented by North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, which has become an unprecedented, serious and imminent threat, and other issues. Amidst this situation, we recognize that it is vital to strengthen the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and at the same time, confirm even closer cooperation between the two countries to alleviate the impact of the U.S. military bases in Japan, including those in Okinawa, through a series of talks with Secretary of Defense Mattis of the United States. To obtain the Diet’s understanding, the Government is providing explanations on the significance of holding such talks with Secretary Mattis. 
 
REPORTER: Could you answer, if you know, at this point in time, whether Minister Onodera would still make the visit without an approval?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I stated, to obtain the Diet’s understanding, the Government is providing explanations on the significance of holding such talks with Secretary Mattis. In addition, with regard to the daily report issue, under the strong leadership and command of Minister Onodera, the Ministry of Defense is exerting every effort into the measures to prevent recurrence and the necessary investigations. So Minister Onodera is currently engaged in such efforts. Furthermore, we wish to explain the importance of security issues.