Press Conference by Shozaburo Jimi, Minister for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Tuesday, February 1, 2011, from 8:32 a.m. to 8:52 a.m.)

[Questions & Answers]

Q.

The situation in Egypt appears likely to become a long-term problem, and its impact has spread throughout the world, destabilizing the market, for example. What is your view on this issue?

A.

Large-scale demonstrations are occurring in Egypt. This has affected interest rates, exchange rates and prices of commodities such as crude oil and gold. Stock prices dropped while crude oil and gold prices rose. These rate and price movements are determined by market force due to various factors.

I hear that prices are rising today on the New York Stock Exchange, and it is difficult to identify the situation in Egypt as the factor that is causing market fluctuations, so I would like to refrain from making comments.

In any case, two demonstrations took place, each involving a million people. As Egypt is a very large Middle East country with a population of 80 million people, the impact on the Middle East and the world is very significant. Therefore, I will continue to carefully watch the future market trend.

(End)