Chairman, Keidanren
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TAKASHI IMAI Chairman, Keidanren |
Effective May 26, I became Chairman of Keidanren.
Holding the course laid down by my predecessor, Mr. Toyota, and with "Achievement-oriented Keidanren" as the slogan, I am resolved to direct all my energy to making a vibrant, prosperous Japan possible by grappling squarely and timely with important tasks facing us.
What should be achieved first and foremost are the earliest possible recovery of the Japanese economy and the groundwork for opening up a bright future ahead, by breaking out of the pervasive defeatism. To this end, we must accelerate the reform of the economic, administrative, financial, pension and other structures, while also expediting the improvement of various systems in conformity with global standards.
Thus, the first task for us to tackle is bringing stability to the financial system. We need to regain the trust of the marketplace by settling bad debts by pouring in ¥30 trillion of public funds, reshaping the financial system, accelerating the financial Big Bang, and internationalizing the yen.
The second task is bringing about a drastic tax reform. In order to obviate the possibilities of undermining employee morale, enterprises relocating to overseas, or Japanese operations overseas succumbing to Japan bashing, I intend to forcefully work upon the Government for drastic income tax reform, the reduction of the effective tariff of corporate taxes, the introduction of the consolidated tax payment system, and other necessary measures.
The third task is bolstering the industrial base. For Japan, heavily dependent on overseas sources for most of its resources and energy requirements, if a balanced industrial development and the well-being of the nation are to be continued to be enjoyed in the new millennium, it is indispensable to correct the high-cost structure by deregulation and, equally importantly, to firmly maintain the industrial base, particularly, the preeminence of technological strengths. From this perspective, I believe that setting sights on becoming a science-and-technology-oriented country, Japan's industry, government and academia together should take on challenges of industrial technology in organized and integrated endeavors to make them into reality.
The general economic situation at present is bleak indeed, but I have a firm belief that if enterprises establish and exercise business ethics and thus voluntarily accomplish reform, while the whole business world joins forces with great application, we shall certainly be able to see bright horizons for the Japanese economy and, in this way, doubtless contribute directly to the prosperity of the world at large.
I have a firm resolve to fulfill the responsibilities of Chairman by squarely meeting the challenges. I sincerely hope tobe given your understanding and support.