Press Conference by Kaoru Yosano, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Financial Services

(Excerpt)

March 17, 2006

Q.

What are your thoughts on the re-election of Mr. Taizo Nishimuro as CEO of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)?

A.

As this is about personnel appointment at TSE itself, my understanding is that it was decided after being discussed at the general meeting of shareholders and the meeting of the Board of Directors of TSE.

Q.

More non-life insurance companies seem to be having ill-prepared cautionary statements in the pamphlets used when signing policies these days. What is your view on this matter, and how will it be tackled?

A.

There were expressions identified in an individual case that could have made the policyholder mistake the assumed rate of interest for the fixed rate of interest. Further investigation revealed that such expressions were broadly being used by other companies as well, so the Financial Services Agency (FSA) has already decided to inspect them all at once. The details are due to be explained properly later by the administration staff.

(End)