Following is the gist of remarks made by Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman, Keidanren at a scheduled press conference on 6 December 2004. Translation is rush and tentative, and sequence of the gist does not necessarily coincide with words delivered.
(On rise of yen's value)
If current rate would prolong, there might be negative effects on corporate performance of exporting companies.
(On budgetary issues)
Expenditures for defense and ODA should be strictly examined, but we cannot easily propose their reduction because of Japan's international position.
(On spring labor-management negotiations)
It would be better to discuss together, twice or three times a year, broad issues such as corporate management and employees' life plan rather than discussing just wages. The Position Paper 2005 on Management and Human Resources will be announced in the middle of this month.
(On Japan China relations)
It is good for our bilateral relations that Prime Minister Koizumi had a meeting with President Hu Jintao in Santiago and with Premier Wen Jiabao in Vientiane.