Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: With respect to the plan of the Government of Russia to install submarine fiber-optic cables between Sakhalin and three islands among the Northern Territories, it was reported that the Government of Russia notified the Government of Japan that it would commence the installation today. Could you tell us the facts behind these reports and how the Government intends to respond?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, it is inconsistent with Japan’s position on the Northern Territories issue and therefore extremely regrettable that such a project is being promoted on the Four Northern Islands, under occupation without any legal grounds by Russia. The Government has lodged a protest to Russia and China via diplomatic channels on this matter. It is important to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories itself and the Government will continue to advance negotiations with Russia on the basis of seeking to resolve the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and conclude a peace treaty.
 
REPORTER: Could you tell us when the protest was made?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have received a report that the protest was made on June 7, by a minister of the embassy of Japan in Russia to a director-general-level official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
 
REPORTER: I have a question regarding the G7 Summit, which concluded last weekend. While the Charlevoix G7 Summit Communique was adopted, President Trump tweeted a message that he did not support it immediately after that. It seems to raise some questions over the effectiveness of the communique right after its adaption. What is the Government’s view on this tweet?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The G7 Summit Communique was agreed by the G7 members through consultation among them and announced by Canada, which assumes the presidency, as the agreement of the G7. While I am aware that President Trump’s message was sent in response to the press conference by Prime Minister Trudeau after the summit, I would like to refrain from making comments on behalf of the Government.  
 
(Abridged)