- Wage Increases
- Fixed Tax Cut
- Increase in Long-term Interest Rate
- Protectionism
- China'カジノシークレット 入金uspension of Registrations of Facilities Used by Japanese Seafood Exporters
- US Presidential Election
- Political Funding
- Nissan Motor
Wage Increases
(カジノシークレット 入金 seeking the Chairman's appraisal of the initial tally [released May 20] of wage offers and settlements by large corporations during the spring labor—management wage negotiations this year, and the challenges ahead) The average rate of increase in the monthly wage topped the 5 percent level for the first time since 1991, and the average wage increase itself was the largest since 1976, the year we changed to the current tabulation method. I am delighted and highly encouraged by this outcome.
It is of utmost importance that we sustain thiカジノシークレット 入金trong upward wage momentum into next year and beyond and nurture the public's perception of wage growth as a natural trend. I think of this as a social obligation for Keidanren. Last year brought record-breaking wage hikes, and this year saw that trend actually gain even more traction. I want next year to be the year this trend takes firm hold.
Wage hikes among SMEs and for workers on fixed-term contracts will be key to achieving that goal. We need to encourage companies to properly pass on costs through product prices, including their labor costs. To do that, Keidanren is working to revise Principle 2 in its Charter of Corporate Behavior and have it explicitly mandate that companieカジノシークレット 入金upport mutual prosperity across their supply chains as a whole, in compliance with the Declaration of Partnership Building initiative. Keidanren will continue making efforts through next year and beyond to promote structural wage increases.
Fixed Tax Cut
(カジノシークレット 入金 about the economic impact of the pending June tax cut and the related paperwork burden for private companies) The fixed tax cut will provide households with additional disposable income. We anticipate that this, combined with corporate wage hikes, will help stimulate consumer spending.
Regarding the office paperwork associated with this tax cut, I believe most firms are ready for that by now, as the National Tax Agency earlier released a FAQ aimed at familiarizing the businesカジノシークレット 入金ector with the details. Listing the tax cut on employee pay slipカジノシークレット 入金hould be a useful way of helping people check the amount of their tax cut.
Increase in Long-term Interest Rate
(In response to a question about the increase in the long-term interest rate —0.98 percent yield on the new 10-year government bond, an 11-year high—and its impact on Japanese firms) It seems unlikely this will have any heavy impact on business, as the Japanese government and Bank of Japan have already moved forward with policy adjustments aimed at averting sudden economic shocks, and many private companies have taken steps to diversify their fundraising methods. In fact, I believe we can expect to witnesカジノシークレット 入金ome plusses from this return to a normalized interest rate regime, as it should allow companies to better align their priorities and develop new areas of business.
Protectionism
(In response to a question seeking the Chairman's take on the rising tide of protectionism, including major tariff hikes on Chinese manufactured goods announced by the US Biden administration and counteractions by the Chinese government) Basically, it is critically important that we have an environment for free and fair trade and investment. Thiカジノシークレット 入金hift toward protectionism is thus cause for concern.
Normally, when the countries party to a bilateral trade dispute cannot work out their differences, the matter should be handled through the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism. However, achieving a resolution is not easy if certain steps in that procedure are dysfunctional. We will continue to monitor thiカジノシークレット 入金ituation.
China'カジノシークレット 入金uspension of Registrations of Facilities Used by Japanese Seafood Exporters
(In response to a question seeking the Chairman's opinion on the blanket suspension [in May] of Japanese seafood exporter facility registrations by China's customs authorities) It is unclear what impact, if any, this latest action will have, given that China had already imposed an all-out ban on imports of Japanese seafood products, effective from August 2023. We plan to wait for an explanation from the Chinese government on its grounds for thiカジノシークレット 入金udden move to suspend registrations.
Japan and China held an expert dialogue (March 30, 2023) カジノシークレット 入金echnical matters concerning the discharge of ALPS-treated water from the crippled Fukushima reactor facility. I hope the latest action by China does not throw cold water カジノシークレット 入金his effort.
US Presidential Election
(In response to a question regarding the business community's likely reaction in the event former President Donald Trump wins the next US presidential election) My understanding is that opinion is divided on the impact the election results might have on US domestic and foreign policy. Although I will refrain from commenting on this hypothetical matter, suffice it to say, in general, that for their own business purposes, companieカジノシークレット 入金hould be prepared for all potential scenarios. Relations with Uカジノシークレット 入金tate governors are also important.
Political Funding
(In response to a question about the Liberal Democratic Party's legislative bill [submitted to the Diet on May 17] proposing revisions to the Political Funds Control Act) The important thing is that this legislation ensures transparency and effectiveness. I presume each of the political parties has their own views on itカジノシークレット 入金pecifics. The public is focused on the future fate of this revision effort. It has to be completely convincing, as public trust in government is a must. I would like to see the ruling and opposition parties engage in sincere deliberations on this bill with an eye to reaching a consensus during the current ordinary Diet session.
A major premise underlying this issue is the unshakable reality that sustaining a political democracy comes with considerable costs. My hope is that our political parties will bear that reality in mind and deepen their deliberations on ways to share these costs.
Nissan Motor
(カジノシークレット 入金 regarding the Chairman's take, and Keidanren's response, regarding reports that Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. continued to unfairly reduce payments to subcontractors even after being warned by the Japan Fair Trade Commission of violations under the Subcontract Act) Our member-companies have endorsed the Declaration of Partnership Building initiative and are pursuing related undertakings in earnest. In that light, it will be genuinely regrettable if those reports about Nissan's behavior turn out to be true. According to administrative-level reports filed with Keidanren, Nissan has launched an internal investigation aimed at sorting out the facts in this case. We are waiting to see if it will quickly get to the bottom of this matter and deal with it. Otherwise, if necessary, Keidanren itself will be prepared to recommend countermeasures.