Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on the overview of the Cabinet meeting and on the ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting.)
 
While various arrangements are currently being made, Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Israel and Palestine from April 29 to May 3. The visit to the UAE will be the first for five years, since May 2013. The visits to Jordan, Israel and Palestine will be the first for three years, since January 2015. On this visit, the Prime Minister is to confirm broad cooperative relations, including energy, with the UAE, an extremely important partner for Japan’s energy security. Afterwards, the Prime Minister will also confirm the cooperation between Japan and Jordan, which plays a vital role in the stability of the Middle East. On the visits to Israel and Palestine, given the current severe situation facing the Middle East Peace Process, the Prime Minister will draw on Japan’s good relations with both parties and express its intention to actively engage with the resolution of the issue. In addition, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by an economic mission comprised of representatives of business and industry, and the Government expects that this will lead to further enhancement of economic relations with the respective countries.
 
Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question related to the inter-Korean summit starting today. Could I ask about the Government’s expectations for the summit meeting and any points that you will be paying particular attention to?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: From 9:30 a.m. today, the inter-Korean summit is scheduled to start, following a welcome ceremony and other events. The Government expects that serious discussions between the two leaders will take place, attended by respective senior officials in charge of political, diplomatic and defense affairs. The Government wishes to commend the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) leading up to the realization of the inter-Korean summit today. The Government expects that positive discussions will take place towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding matters of concern, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. As the meeting has yet to start, at the current time, I would like to refrain from making comments on its content and outcomes based on conjecture.
 
REPORTER: A short while ago the two leaders of the ROK and North Korea greeted each other for the first time in a welcome ceremony. There were some displays to demonstrate a conciliatory atmosphere. How do you perceive these exchanges?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making comments on behalf of the Government regarding the arrangements or setting for the summit meeting as they have been arranged by the governments of the ROK and North Korea.
 
REPORTER: It is expected that the abduction issue will be raised in the meeting. What are your expectations from the perspective of the resolution of this issue?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the Japan-ROK summit telephone talk on April 24, the two leaders were in complete agreement that Japan and the ROK will cooperate towards the resolution of the abduction issue without further delay. President Moon of the ROK indicated that he would convey Prime Minister Abe’s position in the inter-Korean summit. The Government expects that in the summit meeting being held today, positive discussions will take place towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding matters of concern, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. As the meeting has yet to start, at the current time, I would like to refrain from making comments on its content and outcomes based on conjecture.
 
REPORTER: When does the Government expect to receive the debriefing on the outcomes of the summit meeting from the ROK?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any event, Japan and the ROK will engage in close cooperation after the conclusion of the summit meeting.
 
(Abridged)