Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Japan-U.S. summit meeting on June 7. At the previous summit meeting held in Florida, the two leaders reaffirmed the need for North Korea to abandon all weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs. Is it expected that at the upcoming summit meeting the leaders will share a recognition with regard to specific measures towards the CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization) (sic) of all WMD and ballistic missile programs?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have already stated, arrangements are currently being made so as to hold a Japan-U.S. summit meeting on June 7 in Washington D.C., circumstances permitting. At this point in time, I would like to refrain from making comments based on conjecture on the topics at the meeting. In any event, Japan will certainly call for the comprehensive resolution of the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abduction issue, which is a matter of great importance for Japan, while closely coordinating with the United States.
 
REPORTER: The abduction issue is the agenda that Japan is expected to be engaged in proactively, so how will the Government raise this issue in the Japan-U.S. summit meeting?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I responded to that question in this morning’s press conference. Japan is proactively engaged in the abduction issue and is working towards its resolution.
 
(Abridged)