OECD’s Gurría backs Abe’s move on VAT

OECD Secretary-General, Angel Gurría, congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Abe on his announcement today that Japan will raise its consumption tax as legislated from the current 5% to 8% next April.

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• アンヘル・グリアOECD事務総長による安倍総理に対する祝辞

アンヘル・グリアOECD事務総長による安倍総理に対する祝辞

アンヘル・グリアOECD事務総長は、安倍総理が10月1日に消費税を現在の5％から8％に上げると判断したことに対して、祝意を表しました。

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• OECD’s Gurría backs Abe’s move on VAT

The OECD and Japan: helping pave the road to recovery

The new government’s resolve to revitalise the economy through a three-pronged strategy, combining bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and a growth strategy is most encouraging, said OECD Secretary-General.

Toward New Dynamic Growth

Japan is emerging from a difficult five-year period, marked by two major shocks -- the 2008 global financial crisis and the tragic 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake -- and three recessions. We admire the courage and resolve of the Japanese people in face of such adversity and we confirm our feeling of optimism and dynamism in Japan, said OECD Secretary-General.

Japan’s Growth Strategy

Focusing on the new growth strategy of Japan, OECD Secretary-General noted that the key priority is to increase productivity, the country being well below the levels of the upper half of OECD countries, while it should aim to be very near the top.

Japan: All on board for a new growth

The coming expansion will be driven by exports, and should increase business investment and employment and bring an end to deflation. While we are encouraged by these developments, it remains critically important for Japan to address extremely high and still rising levels of government debt and other challenges posed by its ageing population, said OECD Secretary-General.

Meeting with Members of Japan’s Diet

Speaking at the Japan's House of Representatives, OECD Secretary-General said that Japan is one of the most active and proactive OECD members. He added that Japan has made remarkable contributions to the work of our Organisation and is playing a central role in key policy areas like science and technology, education, environment and investment.

The OECD skills strategy and its relevance for Japan

Without adequate investment in skills, people languish on the margins of society, technological progress does not translate into inclusive economic growth, and countries can no longer compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global society, said OECD Secretary-General.

Discours de S. E. M. Naoto Kan, Premier ministre du Japon, lors de la cérémonie de commémoration du 50ème anniversaire de l'OCDE

"Je voudrais commencer par exprimer mes plus sincères félicitations à l’occasion de la célébration du 50ème anniversaire de l'OCDE. Je suis très heureux de pouvoir rendre visite à cette organisation aux traditions si vénérables, en ma qualité de Premier ministre du Japon. (...)"

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Japan will bounce back quickly from the Great East Earthquake

"The OECD has absolute confidence in Japan’s capacity to overcome the Great East Japan Earthquake, building on its unique stock of human capital, financial wealth, technology and discipline.", said Angel Gurría for the launch of the OECD’s Economic Survey of Japan in Tokyo.