13 September 2001, 10:39 Japan may fall into deflationary spiral after US attack - ruling party leader
TOKYO (AFX-ASIA) - Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, Secretary-General of the
ruling coalition New Komeito, said he fears the US terrorist attack may
cause Japan to fall into a deflationary spiral and lead the world
economy into recession.
The government should respond by boosting spending through a
supplementary budget and raising the planned limit on new bond
issuance, he told reporters after a meeting of leaders of the three
ruling coalition parties.
"I think conditions underlying economic policy have drastically
changed after the US terrorist attack, which I believe will push Japan
into a deflationary spiral and the world economy into synchronised
recession," he said.
"This evening, when we have a chance to meet with the prime
minister, I will convey the idea that it is time for the prime minister
to act flexibly and boldly for the economy," he said.
"The government should not hold to its 30 trln yen bond limit. We
should build up necessary measures such as employment and
stockmarket-boosting action, as well as help for smaller companies,"
Fuyushiba said.
"The government should continue, even if total spending for those
measures passes the limit," he said.
Japan faces an extraordinary economic situation, with the Nikkei
225 stock index below the 10,000 point level and the US markets halted,
he said.
"The coalition parties reaffirmed the position that they will enact
laws for securities-tax incentives and a body to buy banks'
cross-shareholdings in the upcoming extraordinary parliamentary
session," Fuyushiba said.
"We shared a common view that a slower process of enactment of the
laws would have a negative impact on the present situation," he said.
The ruling parties affirmed that the laws should be implemented from
January 1.
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