Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The plans to reduce corporation tax
• Chinese application to UNESCO on the Memory of World Register
• Personnel change of the Ambassador of the ROK to Japan

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning plans to reduce corporation tax. There are some press reports that suggest that Prime Minister Abe has resolved to reduce the effective corporation tax rate within a few years to somewhere in the 20-29% range, starting from fiscal 2015. What are the facts behind these reports and what is the current status of such measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Prime Minister has previously made various statements about corporation tax, including at the World Economic Forum 2014 Annual Meeting in Davos and in responses to the Diet. He noted that from this year further corporation tax reforms will be initiated. Following these statements the Government and the ruling parties have engaged in various discussions, including in the forum of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, and also the Government Tax Commission and the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on the Tax System.

Yesterday in responses to the Diet the Prime Minister stated that the Government would start to reduce the effective corporation tax rate from next fiscal year. He also stated that a decision would be made by the end of this month on the direction for such policy, and that this would be included in the Basic Policies. It is the case that the Government and the ruling parties are currently engaged in final deliberations.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to a report by Yonhap News of the Republic of Korea (ROK), China has submitted a request to UNESCO that wartime documents relating to the comfort women be inscribed on the Memory of the World Register. What are the Government’s thoughts on these reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of such press reports. We are currently in the process of confirming the facts behind the reports, including whether or not China has submitted an official application to UNESCO.

If it is determined that China has made such an application with political intent, the Government will lodge a protest and request for the application to be withdrawn.

REPORTER: It has been decided that Ambassador of the ROK to Japan, H.E. Mr. Lee Byung-kee, will be leaving to take up a new post as Director of the National Intelligence Service of the ROK. I believe that you have met with Ambassador Lee on a personal level, so can I ask for a comment on this news?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the announcement that has been made concerning the Ambassador’s new appointment. He is a wonderful person. Since his appointment as Ambassador to Japan in June last year he has made tremendous efforts to further develop Japan-ROK relations over the past year. I would like to wish him every success in his new post. I expect that when he returns home to the ROK to take up his important new position, he will continue to make efforts to further advance Japan-ROK relations.