[Provisional Translation]

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

At the meeting, an exchange of views with Mr. Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Mr. Shang-Jin Wei, Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), took place.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to make some remarks on the occasion of the holding of the fifth meeting of the International Finance and Economic Assessment Council.

Today we are joined by two experts from international organizations that specialize in economic analysis and forecasting: Mr. Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Mr. Shang-Jin Wei, Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to both of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend today’s meeting.

In today’s meeting, I would like you to share your views on analysis of the global economy.

Next month, the G7 Summit will be held at Ise-Shima. Japan must fulfill its responsibilities as the country holding the G7 Presidency, given the policy coordination required of the G7 nations.

I would like Japan to hold discussions with global leaders on how it can contribute to the sustained and powerful growth of the global economy.

In preparation for the Summit, I would like today’s meeting to be an open and meaningful one. Thank you very much.”