Chairman Mitarai's comment at his press conference

April 9, 2007

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 Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan )

Anticipated topics of upcoming April 12 meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of PRC are outlook of the Chinese economy, up-to-date economic and trade policy of his government and Japan-China cooperation in the filed of environment conservation and energy saving. The Japanese business community is impatient for the meeting to begin.

( Asked on the result of April 8 gubernatorial elections )

The new governors were elected in the middle of big reform of regional autonomy system. The winners of the races are expected to carry out drastic reform to vitalize their regions.

( Asked on the US-Korea FTA and its impact )

The Free Trade Agreement lately reached between Korea and the United States clearly shows networking of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) has making rapid progress on a global basis. Japan should have the initiative in forming Asia Pacific wide EPA without fail.


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