Press Conference by KATAYAMA Satsuki, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Friday, December ５, 2025, ９:21 am to ９:37 am)

Q.

In relation to the big party you had on December 1, you offered the financial sector a refund for party tickets, didn’t you? I believe that indicates you were aware there were problems with the party, so why did you go ahead with it anyway? Minister, this is a matter for politicians, so please answer properly in your own words, not by relying on notes.

A.

As I explained yesterday, as the minister in charge of financial affairs, I took the precaution of ensuring no misunderstandings could arise. Since individuals affiliated with financial institutions might have been among those to whom party tickets were sent, I accepted all refund requests from such individuals and mutually agreed to cancel their participation. Thus, they did not attend the event. I took this action because the previous occupant of this seat had exercised similar restraint, and I followed that precedent exactly.

Q.

I think you implicitly mean regulatory authorities are among the stakeholders of the party. In terms of stakeholder interests, the budget formulation and supplementary budget process has just concluded, and we are now moving into the main budget, next fiscal year's budget, and tax reform — all of which are about to enter their full-scale implementation phase. Under such circumstances, there are numerous companies benefiting from special tax measures and other such advantages, and many companies are also affected by budget allocations. This clearly presents a conflict of interest. Why, then, did you only consider the conflict of interest related to your role as the Minister of State for Financial Services, while simultaneously ignoring the far greater conflict of interest stemming from your position as the Minister of Finance? Why did you proceed with the party despite this?

A.

I did not force the party to go ahead, but simply held it solemnly as originally scheduled around summer. The purchase of party tickets is a separate system permitted under current law, distinct from donations. While circumstances may change if the system is altered in the future, under the current framework, it involves consideration, and the mere fact of purchasing or not purchasing tickets cannot influence a minister's judgment. This is consistent with the responses given by various cabinet members regarding such matters. That being said, in the financial sector, licensing and approval are clearly defined. From the perspective of ensuring the utmost public trust, the previous holder of this position had agreed to cancel party tickets with individuals affiliated with financial institutions. Therefore, I took the same precautionary measure to be doubly careful.