Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: Some media reported that during the summit telephone talk between Prime Minister Abe and President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) last month, the Prime Minister asked the President to visit Japan prior to the inter-Korea Summit scheduled for April 27. Could you please confirm the facts?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from making comments on our diplomatic exchanges.
 
REPORTER: I have a related question. The Government has requested the ROK to include the abduction issue in the agenda of the inter-Korean Summit. How does the Government intend to make the ROK take up this issue prior to the inter-Korean Summit?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The abduction issue is a top priority for the Abe Cabinet. In order to ensure that this issue is raised at the inter-Korean Summit at the end of this month, Prime Minister Abe has requested President Moon of the ROK to take up this issue, including at their summit telephone talk on March 16. The two leaders have agreed that Japan and the ROK would continue to work together towards the resolution of the abduction issue. This was also confirmed at the subsequent Japan-ROK foreign ministers’ meeting. The Government will continue to seize various opportunities to request the ROK’s cooperation for the resolution of the abduction issue.
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding this issue of abductions. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it had confirmed North Korea intends to have its athletes participate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In response, President Mori of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games expressed his appreciation. Meanwhile, regarding North Korea, President Mori also commented that it was a serious issue for the Japanese people that it has not returned the abductees, and that he hoped the discussions going forward would fully take into account such feelings. Some noted that, while it is regarding sports, if North Korea participates at the Games hosted by Japan, it could send a wrong message to the world. Could you please share your views?   
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to North Korea’s participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, I believe this is an issue which is to be dealt with among the IOC, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other relevant parties. Therefore, at this point in time, the Government would like to refrain from making comments based on conjecture. In any event, the Government’s priority is the resolution of the abduction issue. Therefore, we will continue to urge countries for their cooperation and make every effort moving forward.