Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

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

8:30 to 8:35 a.m.
Friday, May 24, 2024
First floor lobby, Annex to the House of Representatives

Opening Remarks

Opening of a satellite office of the Consultation Center for Reconstructing Industries in the Noto region

Good morning. First, I would like to mention one point.
I will report about support for SMEs in relation to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. As efforts leading to the support such as using Noto reconstruction funds to purchase their debts, the Consultation Center for Reconstructing Industries in the Noto region was opened inside the Nanao Chamber of Commerce and Industry on April 1. Following this, a satellite office of the center will be opened as part of the Noto Satoyama Airport in Wajima City on June 3.
The satellite office will steadily address requests for consultations from businesses in the Okunoto region, which are expected to increase going forward.
I will end my remarks here.

Question-and-Answer Session

Mobility DX Strategy

Q: METI published the draft strategy for digital transformation (DX) in the automobile industry, which contains the promotion of Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) as Japan’s next-generation automobiles. Could you explain your view on the significance of the strategy on the basis of the current state of the automobile market? In addition, could you offer a comment on what kind of specific support the government assumes?

A: The development of digital technologies has been causing a significant change in the automobile industry. Connecting automobiles and the internet is expected to provide consumers with new sources of value, such as safety, comfort, and even enjoyment. I think that approaches to providing this new value will become a new competitive axis.
Emerging overseas manufacturers have entered this new area and they have been making endeavors to produce cutting-edge businesses, and I see this as an urgent endeavor.
The strategy shows mid- to long-term goals at which Japan should aim to succeed in this new competition and a specific roadmap. It also presents measures to be taken by the entire country of Japan, including ensuring the development of technologies and software human resources, which will become a key to succeeding in SDVs. Going forward, METI would like to swiftly make this strategy more specific.
I am now going to respond to deliberations in the Diet. We will publish the final version of the strategy at 10 a.m. today. So, please ask the staff of the division in charge for detailed information.