Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

8:32 to 8:37 a.m.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
In front of the Cabinet Room, 2nd floor, National Diet Building

Opening Remarks

Revision of the Standards for Encouraging Fair Transactions under the Act on the Promotion of Subcontracting SMEs and the Sample Form for the Declaration of Partnership Building

Good morning. I would like to mention two points.
First, METI revised the Standards for Encouraging Fair Transactions under the Act on the Promotion of Subcontracting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to present ideal business practices between subcontractors and main subcontracting companies. The revised standards additionally require companies to decide on trade prices in accordance with the labor cost guidelines and to pursue the transfer of the full amount of appropriate cost increases for raw materials and energy costs. The standards came into force yesterday.
At the same time, we incorporated the revised content of the standards in the sample form of the Declaration of Partnership Building.
Imposing the burden of increased costs on SMEs by main subcontracting companies will not only weaken the management of the SMEs but also make the entire supply chain vulnerable, and this also may cause a negative impact on the main subcontracting companies themselves. METI would like to request that main contracting companies will strive to enhance fair trade through following the standards and implementing the Declaration of Partnership Building.

Appointment of Chairpersons of Incorporated Administrative Agencies

Second, today's Cabinet meeting approved the appointment of the chairpersons of three incorporated administrative agencies under METI’s jurisdiction, including the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI). The appointments will be effective on April 1, 2024. For more information, please refer to the materials that will be distributed later.