Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japan-U.S. summit meeting. The Government of the United States has announced that a Japan-U.S. summit meeting is to be held on June 7 in Washington D.C. Could you tell us the facts relating to this announcement?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In the Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk, which was held on May 28, the two leaders agreed to hold a summit meeting prior to the expected U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. Arrangements are currently being made to hold such a meeting on June 7 in Washington D.C., circumstances permitting.
 
REPORTER: Are we to understand that the Japan-U.S. summit meeting will be held on June 7, regardless of whether or not the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting is actually to be held on June 12?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from responding to a hypothetical question. My understanding is that the United States and North Korea are currently making preparations towards a summit meeting.
 
REPORTER: What are the leaders expected to confirm at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting regarding policies towards the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government considers that it is important to ensure that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting serves as an opportunity to make substantial progress on the nuclear and missile issues, as well as the abduction issue, which is the most important agenda for Japan. We will make robust efforts in the run-up to the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting to ensure that it contributes to the resolution of these issues.
 
REPORTER: There are several developments regarding the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, such as the one to be held on June 12, which was cancelled. Does the Government consider that the meeting will be held on June 12?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Neither country has announced that the summit will be held, so we are monitoring the situation. Nevertheless, it is a fact that both countries are making preparations towards the summit meeting.
 
REPORTER: The leaders of Japan and the United States are scheduled to attend the G7 Summit in Canada on June 8 and 9. Could you tell us the significance of a Japan-U.S. summit meeting in Washington D.C. prior to that?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It has not yet been decided whether the Japan-U.S. summit meeting will take place. Arrangements are being made to that end. I believe it is important to make all the necessary preparations to ensure that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting is to contribute to the comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile and abduction issues.
 
REPORTER: Is the summit meeting expected to take place in the Washington D.C. instead of the G7 Summit in order to secure sufficient time for discussions? 
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is a reasonable way of looking at it.
 
REPORTER: Some press reports suggest that Japan aims at holding a Japan-North Korea foreign ministers’ meeting and has already approached North Korea. Could you tell us the facts behind these reports?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We are aware of the reports on that point. Meanwhile, nothing has been determined at the current point, including the attendance of Foreign Minister Kono at the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings.
 
(Abridged)