Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: A United States-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting was held on May 22 in Washington, D.C. Could I ask for the Government’s view on the outcomes of this meeting? Japan and the United States have confirmed their close collaboration regarding North Korea for some time; are there any plans for the Government to receive a briefing from the U.S. about the summit meeting?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: As you have just mentioned, the U.S.-ROK summit meeting was held on May 22; I understand that the summit meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to confirm ongoing cooperation towards the forthcoming U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. In order to ensure close trilateral collaboration among Japan, the United States and the ROK, the Government considers it is also important to coordinate policies bilaterally with both countries. From today, May 23, Foreign Minister Kono is visiting the United States, where he is scheduled to hold a Japan-U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting and other activities. Taking this opportunity, the Government would like to share detailed information, including the outcomes of the recent U.S.-ROK summit meeting, and closely coordinate policies, both bilaterally with the United States, and trilaterally with the United States and the ROK. We will continue to play a significant role by engaging in close Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK collaborations, while also working with the international community, including China and Russia.
 
REPORTER: I have a related question. In some media reports, during the U.S.-ROK summit meeting, President Trump indicated that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, currently scheduled for June 12, might be postponed if certain conditions being requested by the U.S. are not fulfilled. What is the Government’s view on this point?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: President Trump stated in a press conference that there is a possibility that the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit meeting might be postponed or cancelled. In any event, it is important that the forthcoming summit meeting provides a substantive opportunity to make progress on the nuclear and missile issues, and above all, the abduction issue rather than the summit meeting being held. The Government highly values President Trump’s strong resolve to elicit concrete actions by North Korea. Looking ahead to the forthcoming summit meeting, there is no change in our position to continue our preparation for the meeting with the United States, while conveying Japan’s views thoroughly to the United States.
 
REPORTER: When referring to the possibility that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting might be cancelled, President Trump noted in the press conference that he considered Chairman Kim Jong-Un’s attitude had changed following his second meeting with President Xi Jinping of China at the beginning of May, and that North Korea’s posture seems to have hardened somewhat. Could you please share, once again, what is the Government’s view on the role of China in the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: We are aware that, in the press conference for the U.S.-ROK summit meeting, President Trump expressed his view that the situation had changed following the China-North Korea summit meeting in early May. In dealing with the North Korean issues, China has an extremely important role to play, given that it is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the chair of the Six-Party Talks; it also accounts for approximately 90% of trade with North Korea. The Government hopes that China will play a constructive role in the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, helping to elicit concrete actions from North Korea. As was confirmed in the recent Japan-China summit meeting held at the time of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, Japan will continue to work closely with China to ensure the full implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions, which remains the common position of Japan and China.
 
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REPORTER: It seems that Prime Minister Abe held a telephone summit talk this morning. Could you tell us who the Prime Minister spoke with, and what was discussed?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NOGAMI: This morning from 10:15 a.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister Abe held a summit telephone talk with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada. The two leaders exchanged views on various topics, including the G7 Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Charlevoix, Canada, next month. A press release is due to be issued shortly concerning further details about the talk.
 
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