Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Today, at 2pm, a meeting of the Ministerial Council on Monthly Economic Report and other related issues was held. I would like to give an overview of the meeting. Regarding the current state of the Japanese economy, the Report makes a similar assessment as last month, which is that, "The Japanese economy is still picking up slowly, while difficulties continue to prevail due to the Great East Japan Earthquake." On prospects for the economy, it states that reflecting the effects of policy measures, a picking up trend in the Japanese economy is expected to take hold. However, it states that it should be noted that there are downside risks that could stem from the influence of the Eurozone debt crisis, oil price hikes, and further slowing down of overseas economies. For details, please direct your questions to the Cabinet Office (Economic and Fiscal Analysis).

The fifth edition or the fifth volume of the Livelihood and Business Support Handbook has been created. The Government to date has issued this handbook on several occasions, which presents a clear description of the Government's support measures and other matters, for the purpose of providing information that is useful to the people who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake with respect to rebuilding their lives and businesses. Bearing in mind also the passage of the FY2012 budget, the fifth volume of the Livelihood and Business Support Handbook was issued today. This handbook is expected to be distributed sequentially to the temporary housing facilities in Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture, as well as municipalities, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other locations. I would appreciate it if you would direct your questions on this to the Cabinet Public Relations Office.

Q&As

(Abridged)