Takaichi states specific monetary policy measures are entrusted to the Bank of Japan

Thank you for your question. In order to ensure the confidence of the market through enhanced communication, we will provide to the Japanese public and to domestic and overseas market participants highly transparent, careful, and consistent explanations with regard to our economic and fiscal management based on the principle of responsible and proactive public finances, including the contents of our Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform. When I made the recent Cabinet reshuffle, I gave clear instructions to the relevant ministers regarding that point. Going forward, under the principle of responsible and proactive public finances, we will bring about both a strong economy and fiscal sustainability in a balanced manner, thereby fulfilling our responsibility to both the Japanese people living today and future generations. Interest rates are determined in the market, in the context of a variety of factors. I will not make any specific comments on market movements, as that could result in unforeseen impacts on the markets. Specific monetary policy measures are entrusted to the Bank of Japan, and I believe that is exactly how it should be, so I will not make any comments from the standpoint of the Government. I have been saying this for quite some time, but my expectation is that the Bank of Japan will continue to act in close cooperation with the Government and manage monetary policy appropriately, taking economic, price, and financial considerations into account, with a view to attaining the 2 percent price stability target in a sustained and stable manner.