Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the import restrictions on automobiles, which is currently being considered by the United States. In the meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors held today, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would like to promote accurate understanding among the relevant parties in the United States. Could you tell us what kind of explanation the Government will provide to the United States and whether the Government is to explain it in the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, which is being arranged along with the G7 Summit?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, according to the statistics published by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japanese automobile manufacturers in the United States have created approximately 90,000 jobs; the number increases to approximately 1.5 million jobs when taking into consideration spillover effects. Furthermore, while approximately 1.7 million vehicles are exported from Japan to the United States each year, approximately 3.8 million vehicles, more than double, are manufactured by Japanese manufacturers in the United States. That has resulted in this tremendous number of jobs that are being created. We would like to provide a detailed and accurate picture on the contribution being made to the U.S. economy by Japanese automobile manufacturers, such as these numbers, to the parties in the United States, using various opportunities and on various levels, including diplomatic channels.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: In relation to the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, while the United States is demanding comprehensive denuclearization in a short period of time, North Korea is emphasizing that it seeks to implement incremental denuclearization. You have often mentioned that the aim of a summit meeting is to achieve progress on the nuclear, missile and abduction issues. While the remaining time is quite limited to work out the details, some have pointed out that, in order to make such progress, it is essential to agree on a timetable or roadmap that sets out the target date towards denuclearization. What are your thoughts on this point?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit meeting serves as an opportunity to make progress on the nuclear and missile issues, as well as the abduction issue, which is a matter of utmost importance. Japan strongly hopes that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting will be held and contribute to the resolution of various issues of concern. I would also add how we materialized the abandonment of all the weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all range in a comprehensive, verifiable and irreversible manner, including specific approaches and schedules, which is something that must be discussed and coordinated by countries concerned. That has also been discussed thus far. Meanwhile, I would like to refrain from touching upon further details so as not to reveal our strategies, given that negotiations with North Korea are starting right now. In any event, we will continue to closely cooperate with each other between Japan and the U.S. and among Japan, the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, working closely together on these issues with the international community, including China and Russia.