Provisional translation

Press Conference by Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister of Finance and Minister for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

November 11, 2008

[Questions and Answers]

Q.

Could you tell us what outcome you are hoping for from discussions to be held at an emergency financial summit in Washington this week and what role Japan should play?

A.

First, I would like to share a recognition of the facts with other countries and cooperate with them so that we can properly cope with the ongoing financial crisis. The Japanese government intends to do its utmost to tackle this crisis under the Prime Minister’s leadership by taking advantage of its past experiences and its pool of human and financial resources.

Q.

At the G-20 summit held the other day in Brazil, there were various arguments over the need for the reform of the IMF. Do you intend to make any statements regarding this at the coming summit?

A.

It is the Prime Minister who will attend the summit itself. For my part, I already made requests regarding a flexible and active role of the IMF at a meeting in Washington last month, so I hope that the coming discussion will be held based on my requests.

(End)