Press Conference by Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Friday, April 22, 2016, 9:11 am to 9:19 am)

[Opening remarks:]

To begin with, I’d like to talk about the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR). Independent audit regulators are the local supervisors in each country of CPAs, audit firms, and so on. At its Plenary Meeting in London, it was officially decided to establish a Permanent Secretariat in Tokyo. I believe that the siting of the IFIAR’s Permanent Secretariat in Tokyo is extremely important as it will bolster Japan’s international presence in this sector and enhance Tokyo’s status as an international financial center. For this reason, the FSA and the Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board (CPAAOB) have played central roles in communicating and liaising closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present a united front for the government in lobbying to realize the IFIAR Permanent Secretariat in Tokyo. This success in bringing the IFIAR’s Permanent Secretariat here obviously owes much to the government’s efforts, but I think another key factor has been the support we have received from various corners, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and private-sector organizations. So I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has been involved. Once the IFIAR’s Permanent Secretariat is established, the FSA and the CPAAOB, for our parts, intent to make an active contribution to the development and growth of the IFIAR to enable it to enhance the quality of auditing worldwide.