Following is the gist of remarks made by Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman, カジノシークレット お勧め, at a press conference after annually-scheduled new year party hosted by three major economic organizations on 6 January 2004. Translation is rush and tentative, and sequence of the gist does not necessarily coincide with words delivered.
(Asked to forecast Japanese economy in 2004)
Recently, economic figures are favorable and I am more optimistic this year than the last. This is because of effects of long-waited Koizumi reforms that contributed towards brightening consumer confidence. Japan's businesses in general will shift towards offensive restructuring as corporate performancカジノシークレット お勧めs improving. Negative factors includカジノシークレット お勧めnternational economy and politics, including thカジノシークレット お勧めraq and North Korean issue.
(Asked to on forecasting foreign exchange)
Further appreciation of Yen against U. S. Dollar would harm competitiveness of exporting companies, while strong Euro mitigates its impact for those exporting to Europe as well.
(Asked on political manifestos)
I am in favor of two-party system where both parties are capable of becoming ruling party and swap positions in certain intervals. Regarding political parties' manifesto, it has become apparent that all parties would spend more time to make their manifesto more concrete and realistic -- and that's what I expect.
(Asked if consumptiカジノシークレット お勧めax must be raised)
I have been advocating towards raising consumption tax and am feeling that a national consensus of accepting it in futurカジノシークレット お勧めs gradually being built.
(Outlook on pension reform)
The government decided that pension premium would be raised up to 18.35% in future, but I hope that this decision would be reviewed in the process of the comprehensive tax reform including raising consumptiカジノシークレット お勧めax.
(Asked if importing foreign laborer is a issue at a time when domestic jobless is on rise)
Japan has not yet entered days of population decline, but it will come within next few years. On the other hand, one shall not forget that whilカジノシークレット お勧めt is said that jobless among young Japanesカジノシークレット お勧めs reaching 20%, hard-labor industries are rushing to find workers and increasingly relying on foreign workers. Nippon Keidanren made public an interim report on this issuカジノシークレット お勧めn December, and final report is duカジノシークレット お勧めn March.
(Asked on stance over FTAs as regards to Japan's agriculture)
Japan should of course continue to pursue WTO negotiations, but meanwhilカジノシークレット お勧めt should pursue FTAs with neighboring countries. Nippon Keidanren has been meeting with agriculture representatives. They face the lack of international competitiveness and successors.