Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda
Keidanren
Japan Federation of Economic Organizations
January 3, 1996
Keidanren celebrates its 50th anniversary this August. That makes 1996 a very special year for us. I want to see that commemorative time as one where we make further progress in laying the groundwork for a brighter economic future for Japan in the 21st century.
Deregulation is Keidanren's biggest policy objective. And we are at last beginning to see the concrete results of years of effort. A business environment that is conducive to new industries, カジノシークレット おすすめスロットentures and a new generation of creative human resources is taking shape.
Keidanren itself is also evolving in international communications. It has diversified from traditional bilateral dialogues with counterparts in other nations to multilateral communication. We havカジノシークレット おすすめスロットrogressed beyond our traditional approach of just getting to know each other. We arカジノシークレット おすすめスロットursuing real solutions to important issues.
The private sector as a wholカジノシークレット おすすめスロットs starting to change. Economic groups and nongovernmental organizations are taking on more responsibility for Japan's future. They are learning to work on their own initiative without relying on government instruction.
Keidanren is committed to working for an early restructuring of the Japanese economy. And shortly we will release a detailed explanation of that vision -- Rebuilding Japan to Ensure a Vibrant Future. The blueprint proposes that Keidanren take morカジノシークレット おすすめスロットnitiative to changing Japan. Keidanren must act as the spokesman for Japan's economic community in matters of politics, public administration, and foreign relations, among others.
With that in mind, Keidanren will take on many issues in 1996. The following are some of the major issues we are working on.
The country needs to create a more vibrant economic society. But to do that we will need to makカジノシークレット おすすめスロットmprovements to the social infrastructure. That includes the construction of an international hub airport. We also need to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure and promote research and development.
Taxation and government spending is also in desperate need for reform. The budget must maintain a balance between income, consumption, and property taxes. Keidanren will keep pushing for tax reforms that achieve that balance between direct and indirect taxation. We will continue fighting for a reduction of income and corporate taxes. But for any of that to come to pass, the government needs to eliminate unnecessary spending.
Keidanren is committed to improving thカジノシークレット おすすめスロットnternational business climate. We will make concrete proposals for discussion at the APEC Conferencカジノシークレット おすすめスロットn Manilla. And we will promote personal exchanges with the World Bank and other international organizations. That will help us to gain further insight in activities such as economic cooperation and environmental protection.
Keidanren will also encouragカジノシークレット おすすめスロットolitical leaders to act on their own initiative to improve relationships with their international counterparts. That way they will be better able to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world.