Press Conference, August 15
On August 8th (Thursday), we received the National Personnel Authority's recommendation regarding the revision of national public servants' salaries.
Also on the 8th, a rotating ministerial meeting on salary matters was held, where discussions began on how to handle the salaries of public servants.
The government, based on its fundamental stance of respecting the National Personnel Authority's recommendation system, will continue deliberations from a broad perspective of national governance and aims to reach a conclusion promptly.
(Question) Prime Minister Kishida announced on the 14th that he will not run in the next leadership election. As a minister in the Kishida administration, how do you view the Prime Minister's decision, and could you share your thoughts on the administration's nearly three-year tenure?
(Answer) I believe the Kishida administration has achieved many results in both foreign and domestic affairs. The Prime Minister has truly taken the lead and worked very hard.
In the latter two years of the Kishida administration, starting with the Digital Agency, I received various policy directives from the Prime Minister, including the new law concerning the former Unification Church.
Regarding the policies under my jurisdiction, I believe I have received significant trust and recognition from Prime Minister Kishida.
(Question) With that in mind, do you have any thoughts about running in the next leadership election yourself?
(Answer) Up to this point, I have been fortunate to serve in a wide range of ministerial roles, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, Minister for Administrative Reform, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Disaster Management, as well as the minister in charge of COVID-19 vaccines, and now, Minister for Digital Transformation.
I have dealt with some of Japan's most significant challenges, including foreign policy and security, administrative reform, disaster management, crisis management, digital transformation, and vaccines.
I hope that someday, I will have the opportunity to utilize this experience.
For the time being, as the Kishida Cabinet continues, I will work diligently as a member of the cabinet to address these challenges.