Chairman Kobayashi’s Comments on Inauguration of Suga Cabinet

September 16, 2020

Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide’s cabinet is a lineup of talented individuals who are well-versed in their respective areas. I am confident that it will maintain the policies of the previous administration and work diligently to implement them.

My first expectation of the new cabinet is that it make every effort to balance our COVID-19 precautions and economic recovery. The cabinet must also be effective in communicating Japan’s economic and social vision to its citizens, along with its role within the broader international community. There are many challenges facing Japan in both internal and foreign affairs. Some are immediate concerns, while others are longer-term issues, but all must be addressed boldly and decisively.

The global pandemic and resulting economic downturn have only exacerbated a worrying trend of protectionism. It is therefore vital that Japan and its allies work hard to maintain and expand international economic partnerships and systems of free trade that are based on impartial rules. Prime Minister Suga has extensive diplomatic experience, which I will be counting on him to demonstrate. His administration must lead Japan forward and ensure that it plays an even greater role in uniting the world’s economies as a champion of free trade.