Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In an interview with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, Taiwanese Premier Lin Chuan has indicated that Taiwan would like to join the 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. The Government’s position is to aim to reach agreement before the end of the year among the TPP 11 nations, so do you think that the accession of Taiwan to the TPP is possible? What is the Government’s position?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the TPP was concluded as an open agreement that aims to expand a free and fair economic zone regionally and worldwide. With regard to this point, in the joint statement issued at the TPP Ministerial Meeting in May, the ministers underlined their vision for the TPP to expand to include other economies that can accept the high standards of the TPP. From this perspective, Japan welcomes that various other countries and regions, including Taiwan, continue to express interest in joining the TPP. In addition to taking a leading role in discussions toward the early entry into force of the TPP, including at a senior working-level meeting scheduled to take place in Japan in July, we will continue to provide necessary information to Taiwan and other interested countries and regions.

REPORTER: Today, Takata Corporation has applied to commence civil rehabilitation proceedings, due to its deteriorating financial condition caused by the issue of faulty air bags. There will be an unavoidable impact on other related industries, so can I ask for a comment from the Government and what measures, if any, the Government is considering to prevent a recurrence of such a situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, this morning Takata Corporation applied to commence civil rehabilitation proceedings. The Government recognizes that the company had no choice but to make this decision due to a severe business environment relating to its response to the recall of air bags manufactured by the company. The Government hopes that legal procedures will be followed that will enable the company to rebuild its business in the near term, and that the negotiation between related parties will be undertaken smoothly in order to prevent market upheaval caused by the discontinuation of product supply. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is currently considering measures that will provide cash flow assistance to small and medium enterprises that have been impacted. We seek to make a concerted response in this regard.