Monday, December 22, 2008

The Prime Minister Attends the 62nd Meeting of the Nippon Keidanren Board of Directors

Prime Minister Taro Aso attended the 62nd Meeting of the Nippon Keidanren Board of Directors held in Tokyo.

In his address, Prime Minister Aso said, "Looking back on 2008, it must be said that 2008 was a difficult year for the business sector. The first half of the year saw an upsurge in the prices of natural resources. And in the latter half came a global financial crisis originating in the US. However, I remain confident that Japan will be, and should be, the first country to extricate itself from recession." On economic measures, the Prime Minister said, "Bold measures are required to confront a once-in-a-century crisis. It is a matter of course that abnormal economic circumstances demand exceptional responses. There are two central elements in these countermeasures: assisting with employment and companies' cash-flow. In addition to such countermeasures in the short term, a growth strategy is important for the longer-term future."

Prime Minister Aso also reiterated his request for the business sector to cooperate for stable employment, saying, "The most desperate problem now at the end of the year is the plight of those who are in danger of losing their place to live. I ask that they at least be allowed to stay in their corporate dormitories [even if their jobs have been terminated]. The government is providing subsidies in this regard. I take this opportunity to make this request to all of you."

Related Link

• Remarks by Taro Aso, Prime Minister Nippon-Keidanren, 62nd Meeting, Board of Directors