[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council  at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the Council, an exchange of views with Professor Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University took place.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to say a few words on the occasion of the holding of the first meeting of the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council .

In May this year, I will serve as the Chair of the G7 Summit to be held at Ise-Shima. The global market is experiencing major change, with concern about the slowdown of the Chinese economy, the drop in oil prices, and so on. I believe that the current state of the global economy will be a major area of focus at the Summit.

As the chair country of the G7 Summit, Japan will hold frank discussions with the leaders of various countries, and intends to transmit a clear message towards the sustainable, powerful growth of the global economy. 

In order to properly fulfill Japan’s role as the chair country, we have launched this International Finance and Economic Assessment Council . I hope that the Council will listen to the views of experts regarding the state of the global economy and international finance, and conduct frank exchanges of opinions.

Today, on the occasion of the first meeting of the Council, we have invited from the U.S. Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz, Professor  at Columbia University, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and former chair of the U.S. President’s Council of Economic Advisers . Welcome, Professor Stiglitz. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend today’s meeting.

In today’s meeting, as well as listening to views on the assessments of the global economy, I would also ask you to please frankly express your opinions in regard to the economic policies being advanced by Japan, that is, Abenomics. I would like this to be an open and meaningful meeting, in advance of the Summit. Thank you.”