Statement by Kengo Sakurada, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
on Launch of Reshuffled Second Kishida Cabinet

August 10, 2022

Kengo Sakurada
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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1. Today, the reshuffled second Kishida Cabinet has been launched. The new cabinet with experienced members is deemed setーfor full-fledged economic recoveryーto address pressing issues such as growing international tensions, the uncertainty of inflation, and how to strike a balance between containing the infections of COVID-19 and maintaining economic/social activities. We expect the government to join forces to achieve results expeditiously.
2. The Kishida administration has established a fairly stable power base after winning the latest upper house election. Making the most of that advantage, we request the administration to crystallize and implement various strategies in an urgent manner, while showing the way to resolve Japan's structural and make-or-break issues, such as integrated reform of taxation, social security, and labor market, as well as strengthening of Japan's defense and national security framework.
3. The government must win a public mandate to make forward-looking, society-wide choices on issues, which face extremely tough challenges to gain consensus among the public of different position and interests. We strongly request Prime Minister Kishida and his Cabinet members to sincerely listen to the public and fulfill each accountability for actions, by presenting thorough explanations on objectives, effects, and impacts of each measure, supported by disclosure of verifiable data and substantive monitoring.
4. As an active player in a sustainable and growing economy, we, business leaders, will envision a desirable future of Japan, pursue its dissemination to all stakeholders across the society, and contribute to Japan's economic revitalization by taking on the challenge of innovation.

Japanese version