Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Keidanren's policy evaluations on each political party
• The Government's expectation to Keidanren's cooperation in implementation of Abenomics

REPORTER: It appears that Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) is expected to restart its policy evaluations of each political party, which it had stopped when the Democratic Party of Japan gained power. Some are saying this is an attempt by Keidanren to close the distance with the current administration. How do you view the restart of these policy evaluations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Supposing they do restart this initiative, I think the Government should not have any comments about this because these policy evaluations will be performed on each individual political party. However, from the government's standpoint, we want the three arrows of Abenomics to be steadily moved into the execution phase, and then make a full-scale effort to revitalize Japan and its economy with cooperation of the Keidanren.

REPORTER: This is related to the previous topic. I believe Keidanren is taking part in government-labor consultations among other discussions. Recently, calls from the Japan Association of New Economy, led mainly by Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani for the relaxation of regulations, has increased its presence. What role do you expect traditional business organizations like Keidanren should play in the implementation of Abenomics?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Keidanren is indeed Japan's largest business organization. In light of this, we would definitely like it to understand these economic policies referred to as Abenomics and ensure that each of its member companies firmly follows it. The Government announced this time to end the special corporate tax for reconstruction one year ahead of the schedule. In that sense, I would like member companies to reflect this in the wages of their employees. At the same time, since most of the Keidanren member companies are major corporations, I would also like to ask them to reflect this in their business relationships with small- and medium-sized enterprises to ensure this tax break is able to trickle down to the rest of the economy.