Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I believe that officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent to attend an international conference in Ulaanbaatar and seek contact with officials of North Korea. Could you tell us whether there has been any contact at the current point?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Although you seem to “believe” it to be the case, I have not received any report about this matter at the current point in time. It is expected that participants of the dialogue exchange views with each other. At the current point in time, nothing has been decided and we are not making any specific arrangements.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: According to some reports, there are frequent cases that various vessels, including those of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which were sunk in the seas of Southeast Asia during World War II, have been dismantled without permission and large sections of them have been taken away. It was reported that the United Kingdom expressed its concerns to the relevant authorities in Indonesia through its embassy. Could you share the Government’s view on this matter?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the reports. Generally speaking, any and all acts that desecrate the honor of those who perished in the war should be avoided. In any event, we will continue to gather information about the responses of the countries concerned on this manner and consider an appropriate response, confirming the facts.