2008/12/19

Comments on the Bank of Japan's Decision for Additional Reduction of Policy Interest Rates

Hiroshi Shimozuma
Chairman
Kansai Economic Federation




 

1. In response to the obvious worsening of the real economy, it is extremely appropriate that the Bank of Japan decided to embark on a reduction of the policy interest rate and adopted expansive measures to facilitate corporate financing.
   
   
2. This reduction is expected to have a positive impact on corporate efforts to procure financing and on stabilizing the foreign exchange and stock markets in synergy with the economic initiatives deployed by the government and the Amended Act on Special Measures for Strengthening Financial Functions. We hope for continued prompt action to counter the global financial crisis while working in close cooperation with the government and central banks of other countries.

End

2008/11/05

Comments on the Result of the U.S. Presidential Election

Hiroshi Shimozuma
Chairman
Kansai Economic Federation

 

1. The victory of Mr. Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election apparently resulted from the desire for "CHANGE" among the U.S. citizens in the present policies regarding security, economic and social, and other areas.
   
   
2. We hope that, upon his inauguration, President-Elect Obama will exercise strong leadership for international policy cooperation and coordination encompassing developed and emerging countries, and take both proper and swift action in response to the global financial crisis and economic recession. To this end, we trust he will complete the design for his administration and build a solid foundation for it as early as possible.
   
   
3. As for policy on Japan, we expect him to put emphasis on the alliance between our countries, as his predecessors did, and thereby maintain and enhance our favorable partnership spanning the Pacific in the economic and other spheres.

End

2008/10/07 Kankeiren published the "Kansai Vision 2020" -Dynamic Kansai!- on October 7, 2008.
The "Kansai Vision 2020" is our policy statement on the direction and future of Kansai
with the theme: "what Kansai should be" in 2020 as seen primarily from an industrial
standpoint, and how we will go about achieving this vision.

• English Version
• Chinese Version
• Japanese Version

2008/09/24

Comments on the Inauguration of the Aso Cabinet

Hiroshi Shimozuma
Chairman
Kansai Economic Federation

 

1. The Aso Cabinet inaugurated today features a lineup that is focused on being ready to take immediate action and provide a sense of stability, with many influential members and experts in various fields assuming cabinet posts, and members in key ministerial positions remaining from the previous Administration. We are in great hope that this reflects Prime Minister Aso's strong determination to build a solid cooperative framework throughout the ruling parties to win the upcoming general election and establish a stable government.

2. As we find ourselves in an increasingly difficult economic environment, the political impasse due to confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is impermissible. We hope that the new cabinet will, if necessary, seek cooperation from opposition parties to first and foremost enact a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, and achieve the early implementation of an emergency economic package.

3. It is our hope that the new cabinet, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Aso, will set forth a clear vision and pathway for our country to pursue in the international community, and speedily undertake efforts for economic measures in our own backyard and for the comprehensive reform of tax and public finance, social security, and decentralization of power to achieve sustained growth.

End

2008/08/01

Comments on the Inauguration of the Reshuffled Fukuda Cabinet

Hiroshi Shimozuma
Chairman
Kansai Economic Federation

 

1. The reshuffled Fukuda Cabinet features a solid lineup capable of translating policy into action, with many new talents assuming cabinet posts including key ministerial positions. We believe that this reflects Prime Minister Fukuda's strong determination to realize his visions.

2. As we find ourselves in an increasingly difficult economic environment both at home and abroad, we hope that the new Fukuda Cabinet will further expedite the pathways toward structural reform with a view towards revitalizing regional economies, realizing decentralization, and increasing corporate competitiveness, while at the same time speedily implementing policies with cooperation from opposition parties as well.

End

2008/06/27

Comments on the "Economic and Fiscal Reform 2008 (Basic Policies 2008)"

Hiroshi Shimozuma
Chairman
Kansai Economic Federation

1. The "Economic and Fiscal Reform 2008", which has been decided upon by the Cabinet, deserves recognition in that it elaborates upon "our responsibility towards future generations," including how national finances and the social security system should be sustained and how to confront global warming, while at the same time placing top priority on strengthening growth potential of the Japanese economy.
Going forward, we hope that under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister, every effort will be made to implement the themes which have been taken up in these policies.

2. We hope that the government will exert itself to the utmost towards eliminating any and all "waste" in every aspect of policy implementation, improving efficiency in expenditures, and stimulating the national economy, so as to avoid tax increases and achieve a primary balance (PB) surplus by fiscal 2011.

3. With regard to the fundamental reform of the taxation system, the government should advance deliberations on the issue including review corporate taxation with an eye towards further strengthening the growth potential of the Japanese economy, as well as discussions about the consumption tax system as a way of promoting decentralization reform.

End