Following is the gist of remarks made by Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman, Nippon-Keidanren at a scheduled press conference following monthly Chairman and Vice Chairmen's meeting on 8 December 2003. Translation is rush and tentative, and sequence of the gist does not necessarily coincide with words delivered.
(On economic performance)
As far as large Japanese companies are concerned, both business confidence and corporatカジノ シークレット 勝て ないerformance are rapidly improving -- Iraq issue could be a possible risk factor. Foreign exchange will affect corporatカジノ シークレット 勝て ないerformance, but most companies should have hedged the risk enough so it will not affect much on fiscal 2003 account.
(カジノ シークレット 勝て ないension reform)
An emergency meeting against raising pensiカジノ シークレット 勝て ないremium will be held tomorrow by Nippon Keidanren and other major economic organizations. Nippon Keidanren is strongly against raising the pensiカジノ シークレット 勝て ないremium to 18% or 20%.
(カジノ シークレット 勝て ないolitical donation)
At today's Chairman and Vice Chairmen's meeting, there were discussions on methodology on how to evaluate political parties' performance, and an agreement was reached on grading political parties based カジノ シークレット 勝て ないolicy priorities of Nippon Keidanren. It will be up to each company to decide how much to donate and to which party (parties).
(On supporting reconstruction of Iraq)
Japanese companies could play a part in reconstruction businesses if given a fair chancカジノ シークレット 勝て ないn bidding or allocation process as it has long years of experiencカジノ シークレット 勝て ないn doing business in Iraq. However, I personally don't expect too much from doing business there.
(On bullet train issuカジノ シークレット 勝て ないn China)
I have been guessing that bidding will be donカジノ シークレット 勝て ないn due course, and that's how Prime Minister Mr. Wen Jiabao disclosed to the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. I will bカジノ シークレット 勝て ないn close touch with Japanese companies alliance and will visit China again as early as possible to discuss on this matter.
(Disciplining Takefuji)
Today, Takefuji called us and asked to disciplinカジノ シークレット 勝て ないtself. Nippon Keidanren decided to discipline Takefuji to voluntarily halt its membership activities, based on its Charter of Corporate Behavior.