Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In the meeting of the Council on National Strategy and Policy held earlier this afternoon, Prime Minister Noda gave his endorsement to the autumn enrollment at universities. I have asked a similar question before, but could you tell us specifically how the Government intends to push forward with measures towards achieving autumn enrollment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In today's meeting of the Council on National Strategy and Policy, Minister Furukawa proposed that autumn enrollment at universities would be important from the perspective of nurturing globally competitive human resources, as set out in the Strategy for Rebirth of Japan. There were also positive and welcoming comments from private sector members of the Council concerning this issue. The Government and each ministry and agency will have to assess the issues that will require consideration and any potential problems that exist concerning autumn enrollment, and instructions for such considerations will be duly given.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a report of the financial status of each country, which also included mention of Japan. The report notes that even with consumption tax at 10 percent, by 2014 there would be a financial shortfall even with the issuance of bonds and expenditure reduction measures. Within the Noda Administration there are those who have said that a rise in consumption tax to 10 percent would not be sufficient, in view of pension-related issues and others. What is the Government's view of this recent report by the IMF?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Given that the IMF, as an international organization, has utilized various figures available to make judgments on respective countries as a rough estimate, the Government's stance is to pay due heed to the observations made and any more detailed report that may be forthcoming in the future.

(Abridged)