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

(Excerpt)

(Tuesday, November 4, 2014, 8:43 am to 8:50 am)

[Questions and answers]

Q.

There was some press coverage today about The Bank of Yokohama and Higashi-Nippon Bank considering a business merger, and both banks have issued statements confirming that a merger is indeed under consideration. The Financial Services Agency has been asking regional banks to present their visions for the next five to ten years, so how do you as Minister see this latest move toward a merger of regional banks?

A.
As I have been saying for some time, population decreases and other factors raise a variety of issues in localities, so banks, and especially regional banks, need to consider operating in a range of formats to maintain their viability. There is nothing particularly surprising about the moves being taken in that regard, and they are certainly feasible. Nevertheless, I have no comment at present on mergers between regional banks in general or on any particular merger.

(End)

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