Press Conference by KATO Katsunobu, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Friday, May 16, 2025, ８:36 am to ８:42 am)
 

Q.

I would like to ask you about the regional financial ability enhancement plan that you mentioned at the recent New Form of Capitalism meeting. You mentioned that you would consider extending or expanding the scope of the public funds system or the fund-grant system. If you have a specific idea, please tell us about it.

A.

At the meeting the other day, I mentioned that it is very important for regional revitalization to ensure that local businesses respond to the current situation in regional areas, particularly the declining birthrate and aging and declining population. In addition, it is required that regional financial institutions support these businesses not only by providing funds, but also in various areas, such as business succession and new business development. This type of regional financial ability is now required at the regional level.
In order to use such regional financial ability, it is very important that the financial institutions themselves, which are the source of regional finance, have a solid management base. Toward this end, we will continue to consider the necessary support and development, and will release a package for regional areas, although we do not have it at hand.
We will work out the details of the package. I think I said by the end of the year, but we will have a firm answer by then.