Following is the gist of remarks made by Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman, Nippon-Keidanren at a scheduled press conference on 22 March 2004. Translation is rush and tentative, and sequence of the gist does not necessarily coincide with words delivered.
(On the state of Japan's economy)
Business in big cities is improving. This trend should spread into local regions and to small and medium sized companies within several months.
(On Spring wage negotiations)
On salary raise issue, most companies tend to reward their employees through bonuses based on the companies' performance. Labor and management disucussed not only wages but also a variety of issues surrounding the company. This is a welcome move.
(On recently announced 3-year deregulation plan)
It is appreciated that key issues have been incorporated in the plan. It is also welcomed that the government will set up "regulation reform and privatization conference staffed mainly by private sector members" and "regulation reform and privatization promotion headquarters staffed by all cabinet ministers" as new promotion framework.
(On Mitsubishi Motors' truck accidents)
I shall not take a position now since most of available information is still fragmented. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation is not a Nippon Keidanren member, but we will take a firm stance if problems are found to have occurred before being split from Mitsubishi Motors.
(On Iraq issue)
My stance remains unchanged. Japan should send Self Defense Force members to help reconstruct Iraq. Against terrorism, Japan should cooperate with other countries in forming international partnership. Japanese companies must also take full caution against terrorist attacks by allocating a section to study the issue.
(One year to Expo Aichi 2005)
Preparations have made rapid progress over the last year. Popularity is improving, and it appears that there will be some interesting events. The Expo should be a much more exciting than originally expected.