Chairman Mitarai's comment at his press conference

September 11, 2006

Following is the gist of remarks made by Chairman Mitarai at his Press Conference. Translation is rush and tentative, and sequence of the gist does not necessarily coincide with words delivered.

(Asked on the LDP presidential election)

All the three candidates have made it clear that they will maintain Prime Minister Koizumi's lines, namely policy oriented politics and Kozo-kaikaku or institutional reform. It is good. The business community continues to help the new LDP leader with the nation reform implementation.

(Asked on the consumption tax)

Radical cut in annual expenditures should come first and be followed by consumption tax hike to improve critical financial condition of the state. At this moment, no comment on the exact rate and date of the tax raise.

(Asked on the issue of Yasukuni shrine)

The business community is not the one to say anything about this matter because politics are responsible for taking action toward national consensus building on extremely important issues like this.

(Asked on the nation's right of collective self-defense)

The Constitution gives a vague definition of the nation's rights of collective self defense. The clarification by the Constitution amendment should be the solution.

(Asked on the 2001 September 11 terrorist attacks)

I was deeply shocked to hear the sad news first. My heart bursts whenever I remember the tragedy. I lived in the United States more than 20 years and the place was quite familiar to me. I extend my heartfelt sympathy again.
Terrorism is a nasty, unforgivable evil deed. The world community must work harder together to wipe terrorism off the globe.


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