Embassy in action to monitor the outlook for Japan under the new Abe administration

Deputy Head of Mission Janet Lowe accompanied by First Secretary Stefan Corbett met with senior Ministry of Finance official Masatsugu Asakawa on 18 January.  Mr Asakawa has just been appointed Executive Assistant to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Taro Aso.  The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the direction being taken by the new Government on economic, monetary and fiscal policy. 

In addition to discussing “Abenomics”, Mr Asakawa outlined the main elements of the Growth Strategy being developed by the Government for release later this year.