Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding President Trump’s discharge from the hospital. President Trump of the United States, who had contracted the novel coronavirus, was released from hospital this morning at 7:40 a.m. Japan time. Could you please share with us how the Government takes this report? Prime Minister Suga tweeted a message of sympathy when President Trump was hospitalized. Does he have a plan to send any message on this occasion? Please also share your view on the impact of President Trump’s infection on the presidential election.
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: According to President Trump’s medical team, President Trump is doing well and is steadily recovering. The Government is aware that the President was released from the hospital earlier. When the President was hospitalized, Prime Minister Suga tweeted praying for the President’s early and full recovery. With regard to another message of sympathy that you asked about, no particular decision has been made at this time on whether one will be issued or not. You also asked the question on the potential impact on the presidential election. Regarding the impact on the presidential election, we believe Japan is not in a position to comment on the elections of other countries.
 
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REPORTER: […] A Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and a meeting between Prime Minister Suga and the foreign ministers of the four countries are to be held today. Please tell us the Government’s aim in holding these meetings. As China is increasing its maritime presence, what does the Government expect from bringing together the foreign ministers of the four countries?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Today, October 6, a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held among Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Payne of Australia, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar of India, and Secretary of State Pompeo of the United States in Tokyo. Before the meeting, Prime Minister Suga is scheduled to receive a courtesy call from Secretary Pompeo and from the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and the United States. This foreign ministers’ meeting will be the first ministerial-level international conference held in Japan since the outbreak and spread of COVID-19. It is extremely timely that foreign ministers of four like-minded countries will gather together in Tokyo and exchange views face-to-face regarding the response to various challenges which have come to the fore with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 and regional affairs. As I have stated before, we consider that the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision will increase in importance in the post-COVID-19 world. At the meeting, we expect that the ministers will affirm the importance of broadening cooperation with more countries for the realization of the vision. Regarding your question on China, this quadrilateral meeting itself is not being held with any particular country in mind.
 
REPORTER: I would like to seek clarification regarding the previous question. When you stated that challenges have come to the fore with the outbreak of COVID-19, what specific challenges were you referring to?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: They are the ones I have stated before, for example, rising particularism amid COVID-19.
 
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