Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
 
REPORTER: Some media reported that plans are being made to hold a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on June 13 and 14 in Seoul, right after the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting that is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12. Could you tell us the facts behind these reports?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NISHIMURA: Nothing has been decided at the current point in time. We will continue to engage in close Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation in the run up to the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting as well as after the summit meeting. As it is beneficial to receive a briefing directly on the outcomes after the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, we are to make arrangements, setting aside how President Trump himself would share the results with us. At the current point in time, nothing has been decided. In any event, as the Prime Minister will depart for the United States this evening, we will confirm our cooperation between Japan and the United States and make various coordination.
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I would like to returning to the first question. You have noted that it would be meaningful to hear directly from President Trump about the outcomes of the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. Could you tell us what the Government thinks about the format to receive a briefing from President Trump on the summit meeting?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY NISHIMURA: Nothing has been decided at this point in time. In any event, the Prime Minister is due to depart for the United States this evening and the two leaders will confirm close Japan-U.S. cooperation in the Japan-U.S. summit meeting tomorrow. We will also continue to cooperate closely after the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. I am sure that arrangements will be made for Prime Minister Abe to hear directly from President Trump about the outcomes, setting aside the format of the briefing.
 
(Abridged)