Press Conference by Shizuka Kamei, Minister for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Tuesday, December 22, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:12 a.m.)

Q.

I have a question concerning the postal reform. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reportedly intends to hold consultations with Japan and request to ensure an equal competitive treatment under the proposed review of the postal businesses so that foreign insurance companies and banks operating in Japan are not put at a disadvantage.

A.

With whom will they hold consultations?

Q.

I presume that officials in charge will…

A.

Consultations are impossible without discussion partners.

Q.

That's right. How will you respond if you are “sounded out” about the possibility of holding such consultations?

A.

I have not yet been “sounded out” about the possibility of such consultations. I think they should trust their allied countries. When we implement various policies, we always take into consideration our relationships not only with our allied countries but with the whole world. We have not yet made a formal decision and we are still considering what new services will be provided by the reorganized postal businesses, although we intend to decide the outline by around the end of January.

(End)