Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended a meeting of the Review Meeting on Economic Situations held at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address, "Although I believe that the Japanese economy is basically on a path to recovery, as indicated by our achievement of 3.9% real GDP growth (annualized rate) in 2010 and other indicators, there are also a variety of downward risks surrounding the world economy, such as the trend in oil prices.
Amidst this situation, it is necessary for relevant ministers to have a shared understanding on the situation of the world economy and its effects on the Japanese economy, and to consider what steps we need to take from a medium-term and broad perspective, with Mr. Kaoru Yosano, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, leading the discussions.
That is the purpose of the meeting which met for the first time today. I look forward to practical discussions which draw on the pool of knowledge of relevant ministries and experts as well as to their reports to the Council."