Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, the Labor-Management Forum organized by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) was held, effectively marking the start of the spring wage offensive. Do you have any expectations for this year’s spring wage offensive?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, during a public-private dialogue, business organizations stated their expectations for companies chalking up better earnings to increase wages in excess of last year’s results, while keeping in sight the path to a nominal growth rate of 3%. Improvements have been made to the environment for translating record high corporate earnings into wage increases. The report that Keidanren released recently is in line with these expectations. In this regard, the Government expects that in this year’s spring wage offensive, steady wage increases are made to further strengthen the positive economic cycle for translating corporate earnings at their highest level into wage increases and capital investment.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Mayor Atsushi Sakima who was reelected in the Ginowan mayoral election seeks to attract a Disney Resort to Ginowan City. What is your view regarding the feasibility of attracting a Disney Resort to Ginowan City?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I gather that it is Disney Resort that will be making this decision. At the very least, I imagine that Mayor Sakima will make a request to Disney Resort and that Disney Report will look into it.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question in connection with Okinawa. I understand that on the 31st of this month, Minister of Defense Nakatani will visit Okinawa to attend a ceremony at the Air Self-Defense Force Naha Air Base. It is reported that the Minister is expected to request a meeting with Governor Takeshi Onaga. What is the understanding of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am not aware of the specifics. It would seem, in a sense, natural for the Defense Minister to go to Okinawa to make such a visit and to meet with the Governor.

(Abridged)