Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

REPORTER: […] I have one question relating to foreign policy. Could you tell us if the current arrangements being made for the State Visit to Japan by President Xi Jinping will remain in effect following the change of administration in Japan?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated previously, we are not at the stage of arranging specific dates for a State Visit to Japan by President Xi. It is a fact that there are various matters of concern with China. I believe that it is important to continue to raise those issues that should be raised, resolve those concerns one by one, and seek a positive effort from China through summit meetings and other opportunities at high levels. All in all, we are not currently at the stage of arranging specific dates.
 
REPORTER: I have a question related to (national) security. In his recent press conference, Prime Minister Abe spoke about his willingness to deliver concrete outcomes vis-à-vis the discussions on the directions of national security. To what degree does the Government intend to materialize that under the current administration? And, will the current administration propose a concrete blueprint of Japan’s missile defense strategy in response to the suspension of Aegis Ashore deployment?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As Prime Minister Abe stated in his press conference, the security environment does not permit any vacuum in Japan’s defense policy, and to date the National Security Council has engaged in thorough discussions. However, at this point, I would like to refrain from presuming specifically when a conclusion will be reached. In any event, it is important for the Government to continue to engage in thorough discussions.
 
REPORTER: I have a question concerning compensation for workers during temporary closure of business due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). According to a survey conducted last month by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT), more than 20 percent of respondents, or almost a quarter, had not received any such compensation. What measures does the Government intend to take to address the fact that many workers are unable to receive payments during the temporary business closure?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: […] the Government has enhanced the Employment Adjustment Subsidies, including raising the upper limit to 15,000 yen per day, simplified procedures, and taken measures to ensure expeditious disbursement, thereby strongly supporting the payment of allowances for temporary business closures, with a view to helping business operators to maintain employment. As I mentioned earlier, thus far, the Government has approved the disbursement of subsidies in around 880,000 cases, totaling approximately 1.1 trillion yen, and has decided to extend the duration of those special measures until the end of December. At the same time, in light of the fact that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were experiencing difficulties with payments for temporary business closures, the Government newly established a new direct subsidy program for workers at SMEs. To date, we have approved disbursements amounting to approximately 7 billion yen for around 80,000 cases. We will similarly extend the duration of this program until the end of December. The Government will continue to provide support through such mechanisms