Press Conference by SUZUKI Shunichi, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 11:46 am to 11:56 am)

[Opening remarks:]

Minister)

This is this year’s first press conference, and your continued cooperation would be appreciated.
Prior to the press conference, I would like to pray for the souls of those who passed away owing to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in 2024, which occurred on January 1, and express my sympathy for all of those who suffered from the earthquake.
The government will continue to work with all its strength for rescue, recovery, and reconstruction so that all victims can restore their daily life as soon as possible.
I would like to speak specifically about three points regarding the recent earthquake.
The first point concerns the response of the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency to the disaster. Thus far, we have taken actions such as requesting private financial institutions, the Japan Finance Corporation, and other organizations to respond flexibly to depositors and business operators in affected areas and providing local governments to which the Disaster Relief Act is applied and related ministries and agencies with information on national property that can be used for evacuation sites and other purposes. However, furthermore, with respect to taxpayers in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures, today we decided to extend the deadline for the declaration and payment of national taxes and other procedures even if applications are not filed.
We will continue to work closely with the parties concerned to take necessary measures swiftly and appropriately so that the impact of the disaster on people’s lives, finance, and the economy is minimized.