Friday, December 19, 2008

Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy

Prime Minister Taro Aso held a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, discussions took place on the current economic and labor market situation and a proposed agenda of "medium- to long-term fiscal policy and an economic and fiscal outlook for next ten years (provisional)," based on the Fiscal 2009 Economic Outlook and Basic Stance for Economic and Fiscal Management, which was approved by the Cabinet the same day.

Prime Minister Aso said, "As the end of the calendar year approaches, the government places particular focus on measures to secure housing and employment for those who are unemployed and who lost their jobs, as well as countermeasures against the cash-flow problems that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are facing. We aim to overcome the emergency situation by implementing measures seamlessly throughout the year-end and New Year period. The government has carried out short-term measures in a bold manner and medium-term measures in a responsible manner. I expect the Council to compile a view on medium- to long-term fiscal policy by the time the proposed fiscal 2009 budget is submitted, taking into account an economic and fiscal outlook for next ten years."

Related Link

• Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (Cabinet Office)