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Executives' Comments  Press Conferences Chairman Yonekura's comments at his Press Conference

November 12, 2012

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

TPP

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been insisting on promoting simultaneously and in parallel the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and ASEAN+6 economic partnership agreements. At next week's East Asia Summit, political leaders are anticipated to agree on commencing negotiations for a regional comprehensive economic partnership among 10 ASEAN member states and six other countries. Concerning these circumstances, Japan's participation in the TPP talks is likely to be announced relatively soon as well.

The TPP negotiations are expected to be concluded no later than 2013 considering the domestic situation in the United States. Japan needs to promptly declare its participation and join the talks without delay. There is not much point in sitting at the negotiation table at a later stage.

Japanese Economy

The Japanese economy seems to have entered a recession phase. The major factor in causing the situation is not domestic problems but the current global economic difficulties. It is necessary to promote International policy collaboration to contain the crisis. At the same time, Japan needs to fulfill its strategy for future growth as well as clear away uncertainty over energy supply not to let the recession linger.

Executives' Comments