Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding Six-Party Talks on the North Korean issues. The Republic of Korea (ROK) has expressed its cautious view towards the resumption of Six-Party Talks, indicating that it would like to consider taking into account the outcomes of the inter-Korean Summit and U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. Does the Government of Japan share this view?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, when considering such a framework for a resolution of the issues, including Six-Party Talks, it is necessary to first look closely at whether exchanges between the ROK and North Korea as well as the U.S. and North Korea could elicit concrete actions from North Korea, on the basis of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and the ROK. The Government will maintain the close Japan-U.S.-ROK collaboration, and will consider our response, from the standpoint of what would be the most effective approach towards the comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile and abduction issues.
 
REPORTER: In the ROK, one of the district courts has issued a 24-year prison sentence to former President Park Geun-hye who had been charged with bribery and other offenses. Do you have any comment on the court’s decision?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government would like to refrain from making comments on individual court judgments of another country.
 
REPORTER: I have a question about North Korea. Media outlets in the ROK are reporting that following Chairman Kim Jong-un’s visit to China from March 25 to 28, China is moving to relax sanctions while countries around the world are currently imposing sanctions against North Korea. What is your view about such moves?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from responding to individual media reports. In any event, given that the United Nations resolutions were adopted, involving China, it is important that China also implement these resolutions.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: The Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has been criticized for urging a woman to get out of the dohyo (sumo ring) in the midst of providing life-saving medical assistance to the mayor of Maizuru City in Kyoto Prefecture, who had collapsed on the dohyo at the spring sumo tour. Sumo is the national sport of Japan and is enjoyed by many people in the country. What is the Government’s view of the response made by the Nihon Sumo Kyokai on this occasion?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I would like to refrain from making comments about the response made by the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, which is a private entity, in my capacity (as Chief Cabinet Secretary). In any event, human lives are more important than anything else and efforts to save lives should be given the highest priority. The Chairman of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai has expressed his appreciation to the woman who provided emergency medical aid and also apologized for the inappropriate response that was made in this situation involving someone’s life. I think that says it all.
 
REPORTER: I have a related question. Overseas media have criticized this incident, noting that it symbolizes various discriminations against women in Japan. An online article of the New York Times has noted that this incident could be seen as a metaphor for how women are regarded in Japan, mentioning that Japan ranks low in the Global Gender Gap Report issued by the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. What are your views on how this incident is being reported by overseas media?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I understand that there are various views on this issue. I believe that the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, a private-sector entity, will make its own decisions in this case.