Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There were statements on the overview of the Cabinet meeting and others.)
 
Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: President Trump has announced that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting will be held on June 12. What sort of structure does the Government intend to place in Singapore on the day of the summit meeting vis-à-vis close cooperation between Japan and the United States or sharing information? There could be various approaches such as sending a cabinet minister or director-general-level official; could you tell us the Government’s plan?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: For the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting on June 12, we intend to make thorough efforts through gathering information by sending appropriate government officials from Tokyo, in addition to those activities by the Embassy of Japan in Singapore. We will also continue to work closely with the United States in the run-up to the summit meeting. The Government is in the process of considering which officials will be dispatched to Singapore.
 
REPORTER: Some media reported that President Putin of Russia invited Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea to attend the Eastern Economic Forum to be held in Vladivostok in September. Could you tell us whether the Government has any information regarding this matter and also share the view of the Government?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: While I am aware of the reports, I would like to refrain from making comments on behalf of the Government about interactions between third-party countries.
 
REPORTER: Prime Minister Abe is also scheduled to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which means that there is a possibility of him coming into direct contact with the leader of North Korea. Are there any plans to hold a summit meeting at that time?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Circumstances permitting, Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in September, but nothing has as yet been decided concerning his detailed itinerary during the visit.
 
(Abridged)