Press Conference by the Commissioner

(Excerpt)

February 2 , 2004

Q.

The Financial Services Agency (FSA) held the Symposium on Financial and Economic Education on the weekend. With the surprise participation of Mr. Toshihiko Fukui, the Governor of the Bank of Japan, it was over successfully. Could you tell us your idea and concrete efforts to promote financial and economic education in the future?

A.

It is very important theme to accelerate the flow of funds from savings to investments. Especially, it is extremely important for young people of the next generation to gain a deeper understanding of the financial sector and the underlying economy. The symposium was organized as a landmark event, representative of our efforts to further promote financial and economic education for the future. In regard to financial and economic education, we received a report by the First Subcommittee of the Financial System Council regarding the approach to investment education in last December. We will continue to promote endeavors like the symposium, and tackle steadily various issues pointed out in the Financial System Council's report, in cooperation with financial organizations.