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On March 24, 2020, the Prime Minister attended the fifth Intensive Hearings on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Real Economy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“Thank you for coming to the Prime Minister’s Office today despite your busy schedules.
 
The government is exerting every effort to prevent the spread of infections of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and prevent symptoms from getting severe and control outbreaks. In light of this, we have requested the cancelation, postponement or downscaling of large-scale, nationwide events that will draw large crowds. Against this backdrop, we asked you, those who are experiencing great difficulties, to join this meeting.
 
Furthermore, these measures, which have been taken worldwide, including our request, may slow down economic activities and we are strongly concerned⁠—this is the fifth hearing⁠—that there will be devastating impacts. In light of this situation we have invited representatives of those who are particularly impacted, such as concert organizers, operators of small live music clubs, and concert and event ticket sellers, as well as exhibition organizers and those involved in the construction of exhibition booths. We would like to ask for your candid comments. We also have with us here today representatives from megabanks, institutional investors, securities companies, and local banks.
 
The Abe administration intends to ensure the protection of employment despite such a grave situation. To that end, we want various business operators to continue their business activities and survive this situation. We would like to extend thorough support for that.
 
Firstly, we will exert every effort to contain the outbreaks. Afterwards, we will implement bold and strong economic and fiscal policies to return the Japanese economy to a stable growth path, aiming at a V-shaped recovery.
 
Today, I would like to hear from all of you about matters related to the formulation of such policies, including what needs you have, what policies you need, and what your perception of the current situation is. We will then incorporate them into the policies we are currently formulating. Thank you for your cooperation.”