[Minister in His Own Words]

This section provides information regarding the hot topics of the moment, selected from questions and answers given at the Minister's press conferences, etc.

If you wish to find out more, we invite you to visit the “Press Conferences” section of the FSA website.

A1. As was mentioned now, the measures announced at this time are expected to facilitate smooth provision of dollar funds, particularly in Europe, so I believe that appropriate measures have been taken to ensure the stability of the global financial markets. While Japanese financial institutions have no difficulty raising foreign-currency funds, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) will continue to carefully monitor the situation while maintaining cooperation with relevant ministers and the Bank of Japan.

[Extract from the press conference following the Cabinet meeting on December 2, 2011]

A2. Basically, I believe that the efforts made in accordance with the SME Financing Facilitation Act are taking root.

On the other hand, some people have pointed out such problems as an increase in re-modification of the loan terms, which is referred to as rescheduling.

In light of that, it is necessary to ensure a “soft landing” that facilitates a smooth shift in emphasis to supporting business rehabilitation while implementing a comprehensive “exit strategy,” including support for the improvement of the management of SMEs, so I have decided to extend the act for one year for the last time.

By implementing such measures, the FSA is resolved to facilitate financing and aggressively support the improvement of the management of SMEs while taking care to ensure the sound and appropriate management of financial institutions' business operations. We are not considering extending the act again another time.

[Extract from the press conference following the Cabinet meeting on December 27, 2011]

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[ Press Releases in December ]

December 1	Access		Results of questionnaire survey on initiatives in consideration of disabled people, etc. (Early reported values)
	Access		Enforcement of short sales related to capital increase through public offering
December 5	Access		“Draft Cabinet Office Ordinance for partial revision of Ordinance for Enforcement of Shinkin Bank Act” published
	Access		Draft partial revision of the “Comprehensive Guidelines for Supervision of Financial Instruments Business Operators, etc.” published
	Access		8th Financial System Council “Working Group on Medium and Long Term Approach of Japan's Financial Industry” - program
	Access		Financial administration internship system implemented at the FSA
	Access		Financial System Council “Working Group on Insider Trading Regulation” (5th) - program
December 6	Access		Working Group on Regulatory Approach to Group Management of Insurance Companies (9th) - program
	Access		42nd Financial Service Dispute Resolution Liaison Group documents
December 8	Access		Merger of life insurance companies
	Access		Decision on capital participation in The 77 Bank Ltd.
December 9	Access		Overview of major banks' financial results as of September 30, 2011
	Access		Overview of regional banks' financial results as of September 30, 2011
	Access		Revision of business revitalization plans
	Access		Report on the details of measures taken to deal with failed financial institutions
	Access		Additions to matters subject to measures incidental to implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929
December 12	Access		Main items related to the FSA in the FY2012 tax reform outline
December 13	Access		Situation of changes in lending conditions based on the Act concerning Temporary Measures to Facilitate Financing for SMEs, etc. (Early reported values)
	Access		Decision on Administrative Monetary Penalty Payment Order for market manipulation concerning Sakai Heavy Industries, Ltd. shares
December 14	Access		Revision of “FSA Business Continuity Plan”
December 16	Access		Administrative Actions against UBS Securities Japan Ltd and UBS AG, Japan Branches
	Access		Administrative Action on Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc.
	Access		Administrative Actions against Citibank Japan Ltd.
	Access		Improvement status of 10 life insurance companies for which business improvement orders were issued
December 19	Access		Status of progress on initiatives by market participants to reduce securities settlement risks
December 20	Access		Administrative Action against K⋅B⋅C Co., Ltd.
	Access		9th Financial System Council “Working Group on Medium and Long Term Approach of Japan's Financial Industry” - program
	Access		“Symposium on Avoiding Financial Troubles” held (Hiroshima)
December 21	Access		“Symposium on Avoiding Financial Troubles” held (Osaka)
December 22	Access		Establishment (update) of FSA Regulatory Notice concerning designation of related corporations of credit rating agencies (group designation concerning explanation items of unregistered ratings)
	Access		Administrative Action against Rights Trust Inc.
December 26	Access		FSA budget, organization and staff quota for FY2012
	Access		General Meeting of the Business Accounting Council and the Planning Coordination Subcommittee - program
	Access		“Summary of Discussions in ‘Study Group on OTC Derivative Market Regulation’ ”
	Access		FY2011 Awards to Meritorious People Who Spread Financial Knowledge
	Access		Decision on Administrative Monetary Penalty Payment Order for market manipulation concerning inspec Inc. shares
	Access		Decision on Administrative Monetary Penalty Payment Order for false statements in a quarterly report concerning Nihon Industrial Holdings Co., Ltd.
	Access		Decision on Administrative Monetary Penalty Payment Order for market manipulation concerning Traveler Co., Ltd. shares
	Access		Cabinet Office Ordinance for Partial Revision of the Cabinet Office Ordinance on Financial Instruments and Exchange Business
December 27	Access		Administrative Action (extension) against MF Global FXA Securities, Ltd.
	Access		“Draft Partial Revision of Designation of Transactions and Lending Excluded from Transactions Subject to Financial Instrument Debt Underwriting Business” published
	Access		Execution status report on business revitalization plans
	Access		Statement by Shozaburo Jimi, Minister for Financial Services - Final extension of expiration of the Act concerning Temporary Measures to Facilitate Financing for SMEs, etc. -
	Access		Banks' Shareholdings Purchase Corporation and Life Insurance Policyholders Protection Corporation of Japan (Press Conference by Shozaburo Jimi, Minister for Financial Services, December 27, 2011)
December 28	Access		Business Sentiment etc. of Small & Medium-sized Enterprises - Questionnaire Survey Results Summary
	Access		Decision for the purchase of trust beneficiary rights, etc. for The Shinkumi Federation Bank
	Access		Money lending business related documents updated
	Access		Number of debtors who halted contracted repayments since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and amount of such debts (September 30)
	Access	is a link to the publication web page.

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Web Pages Most Accessed in December

This section shows the December Press Releases web pages which were accessed the most.

To see the web pages most accessed in the past, go to the FSA web site's Web pages most accessed (past data, etc.) (Available in Japanese only)

• Financial institutions being inspected by FSA
• Financial Facilitation Measures for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
• List of licensed (registered) financial institutions
• Draft partial revision of the “Comprehensive Guidelines for Supervision of Financial Instruments Business Operators, etc.” published
• Administrative Actions against Citibank Japan Ltd.
• “Administrative Actions Casebook” updated
• Improvement status of 10 life insurance companies for which business improvement orders were issued
• Main items related to FSA in FY2012 tax reform outline
• Active Use of “Capital Type Borrowing”
• Merger of life insurance companies