Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The discussion with Governor of the Bank of Japan
• The Governor of Tokyo’s visit to Beijing
• The issue of lowering the corporate taxes
• The launch of the Cabinet Personnel Affairs Bureau

REPORTER: The Prime Minister met with Governor Kuroda of the Bank of Japan this afternoon and I understand that part of the purpose of the meeting was to receive a report on the G20. Could you tell us exactly what they discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not know the details of the meeting, but the Prime Minister and Governor Kuroda have been trying to exchange views and stay in close communication whenever the opportunity arises. I believe that this meeting follows on from their meeting last year in around December. I understand that the Prime Minister and the Governor were able to spend a decent amount of time exchanging views on the economic situation and among other topics.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Earlier today, Governor of Tokyo Masuzoe held a press conference during which he announced that he is planning to visit Beijing between April 24 and 26. During the press conference, he said that Prime Minister Abe and you approved the visit. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This was not a matter of granting approval or not. The three of us shared a meal the other day during which Mr. Masuzoe told us of his intention to visit China upon the invitation of Beijing City. We then said that we would very much like him to make the trip. Tokyo and Beijing are sister cities and the Abe administration encourages proactive exchange between Chinese and Japanese municipalities, as well as cultural and economic exchange. As such, this was not a matter of granting approval or not, although we did discuss the trip.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the lowering of corporate taxes. Today, senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Research Commission on the Tax System and the Government Tax Commission exchanged views. They apparently agreed that reducing corporate taxes would require the securing of stable financial resources. Minister Amari and some other Government officials claim that lowering corporate taxes while the economy is recovering may actually result in increasing tax revenue. Therefore, they believe that securing stable financial resources is not necessarily required. It appears that there is a gap in the views of the Government, and the views of the LDP Research Commission on the Tax System and the Government Tax Commission. What are your thoughts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think it is an exaggeration to say that there is a gap in our views. The Government and the LDP share a common desire to lower the corporate tax rate and create an environment in which Japanese companies can be internationally competitive. To that end, I view it as a positive that the LDP Research Commission on the Tax System and the Government Tax Commission met to discuss the matter today and I am sure that the LDP has a good understanding of the Government's policy.

REPORTER: The Cabinet Secretariat will launch the Cabinet Personnel Affairs Bureau in May. I believe that Minister Mori is requesting the recruitment of external candidates to encourage the appointment of women to senior public posts. Could you share your thoughts on this with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Encouraging the participation of women in the workforce and creating a society in which all women shine are indeed priority goals for the Prime Minister. Furthermore, given that there are so many talented women, it is obviously very possible that women will be appointed to senior public official positions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the population estimates announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The estimates showed consecutive decreases in the total population for the last three years and the percentage of the population over 65 years old has now reached its highest ever level. These estimates indicate that the trend of the declining birthrate and aging society is advancing. Could you share your thoughts on this with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I understand that according to the announced population estimates, the declining birthrate and aging society trend is indeed advancing and the population decrease was quite significant. In light of this, the Government recognizes that the fundamental enhancement of support for child-rearing, the creation of an environment that facilitates women’s active role, and the creation of a society in which all women shine are pressing matters. Led by the Prime Minister, the Government has developed measures to achieve these goals and we are now putting those measures into practice. At the same time, the Government is employing social security policies and other means to ensure that we are fully capable of supporting a super-aged society, while taking into account the actual circumstances facing local communities. Furthermore, the Government established the Headquarters for Measures for the Declining Birthrate and is also creating a Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Childcare Waiting Lists. Our current goal is to achieve a reduction in the childcare waiting lists by 200,000 children within 2 years and by 400,000 within 5 years and we are determined to create an environment that encourages the participation of women in the workforce.

(Abridged)