Home > News > Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary > November 2014 > Thursday, November 13, 2014 (PM)
Thursday, November 13, 2014 (PM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
- The issue regarding the consumption tax rate
REPORTER: In a press conference following the meeting of experts to verify future economic and fiscal trends, Minister Amari stated that after the expert meeting following the announcement of the first quarterly estimate for GDP growth, he would thereafter wait for a decision from the Prime Minister. It was his understanding that the Prime Minister’s decision on whether to raise consumption tax would not be contingent upon the second quarterly estimate being announced. This is different from your own understanding, so could you clarify this matter for us?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I imagine that Minister Amari was simply stating his own opinion. There is absolutely no change to the Government’s stance, which I have previously described, namely that a decision will be made by the end of year after examining with the utmost care the data from the first and second preliminary figures for the July-September quarter, which are due to be announced in November and December, respectively.
REPORTER: Given Minister Amari’s prominent standing as a minister responsible for economic affairs, what exactly do you mean by saying that he was stating his own opinion?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would say that it was Minister Amari’s own opinion with regard to this matter. The Prime Minister has previously stated in the Diet that basically he will come to a decision by the end of the year after carefully examining the preliminary figures in the first and second quarterly estimates.
REPORTER: I have a related question. You have just reiterated that a decision will be made on the basis of the figures from both the first and second quarterly estimates. However, and I believe the same question was asked the other day, as the second preliminary figures are due to be announced on December 8, a swift decision will be required thereafter, given the necessity to engage in the budget compilation process. Is it likely that a decision will be announced in the week of December 8, or perhaps the following week?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated previously, the Prime Minister will make a decision at the required timing, before the end of the year.
(Abridged)
