Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There was a statement on the overview of the Cabinet meeting.)
 
I would like to make announcements on the visits by two overseas leaders to Japan. H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and his spouse will visit Japan from April 10 to 13. During their stay in Japan, Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Tobgay and host a dinner in their honor. It is expected that, through Prime Minister Tobgay’s visit to Japan, the friendly and cooperative relations cultivated between the two countries will be further developed.
 
Also, H.E. Mr. Alain Berset, President and head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, will visit Japan from April 12 to 15. During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Abe will hold a meeting with President Berset and host a dinner in his honor. It is expected that, through President Berset’s visit to Japan, the friendly and cooperative relations cultivated between the two countries will be further developed.
 
Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the situation in North Korea. Some media reports are suggesting that at the time of the meeting of Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea with President Xi Jinping of China, Chairman Kim indicated that he would agree to returning to the Six-Party Talks. Could you tell us whether the Government is aware of such information and also what the Government’s analysis is as to why North Korea has mentioned the Six-Party Talks?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is engaged with great concern in the collection and analysis of information about developments in North Korea. I would like to refrain from commenting on individual press reports. In any event, on the basis of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) and through inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea interactions, it is necessary to elicit concrete actions from North Korea and to closely monitor such actions. In addition, working closely with the United States and the ROK, the Government will consider our response, based on the perspective of what would be the most effective means of advancing measures to achieve the comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile and abduction issues.
 
REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe that Japan, the United States and the ROK have led efforts on denuclearization to date. Meanwhile, if North Korea has made reference to the Six-Party Talks, this could mean that China will take a leading role in the dialogue. Will the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit meeting this month engage in discussions based on such a scenario?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At this point in time I would like to refrain from conjecturing about the agenda for the Japan-U.S. summit meeting. I believe that a frank exchange of views about matters of mutual concern will take place, including on policy relating to North Korea.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: With regard to the issue of tariffs between the United States and China, on April 5 President Trump issued instructions to consider US$100 billion of additional tariffs on Chinese products, which has further raised tensions between the two countries. What is the view of the Government on these developments and what is the anticipated impact on the Japanese economy?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government considers that it is important not just for Japan but also for Asia and the entire world that the United States and China, the first and second largest economies in the world, build a relationship that will lead to the stable growth and development of the global economy. We will be closely monitoring Japan-China negotiations from such a perspective.