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

January 15, 2013

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.

Emergency Economic Measures

The revitalization of the Japanese economy is the nation's top priority. The recently formed emergency economic measures as well as supplementary budget show the government's firm determination to tackle the urgent issue with all its force. Time was not on their side because LDP returned to power right before the year-end and New Year holidays. In a hectic working environment, PM Abe carried his resolution into action. He has proved himself.

Politics Now

Government and business need to work hard side by side and hand in hand like a pair of wheels to make the people happier. This is what it should be, but the reality is different. After mature consideration on the reason, Keidanren pointed out politics' problems such as the "twisted Diet" and "politics for politics" causing a significant delay in implementation of important policies and proposed how the political system should be reformed in our latest opinion paper.

Keidanren will deliberately monitor how closely each political party's opinions and stance on key issues overlap with our policy proposal. This is what we are going to do, but we are still open to how. The decision does not mean Keidanren will resume its involvement in political donations. It is up to each member company as it has been.