Provisional translation

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

(Excerpt)

April 7, 2009

[Questions and Answers]

Q.

I understand that the FSA (Financial Services Agency) formally notified banks of an intensive inspection yesterday. Could you explain the purpose of the inspection again and tell us what actions the FSA will take if problems are found.

A.

This inspection is intended to examine whether individual financial institutions are properly exercising their financial intermediary function. The inspection is not aimed at examining any particular bank because of concerns about management conditions but at checking, from the standpoint of a caring guardian, whether banks are conducting business based on the Banking Act.

(End)