Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

10:55-11:02 a.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Visit to Osaka

Today, I will be traveling to Osaka to visit the venue of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. While there, I will observe events hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency and the Japan Patent Office within the venue. I will also visit the Signature Pavilion and exchange views with Ms. Kawase Naomi, one of its producers. In addition, I will inspect demonstration facilities for Green Transformation (GX) technologies, including direct air capture (DAC) and methanation. There is only one week remaining until the end of the Expo. During the remaining period, we will continue to make every effort to ensure its safe and smooth operation.

Question-and-Answer Session

LDP President Takaichi Sanae

Q: I would like to ask about the presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Ms. Takaichi has been elected as the new president of the LDP. During the campaign, she expressed her views on solar power and other forms of renewable energy, including opposition to foreign-made solar panels and a call for reviewing the subsidy system for renewable energy. These positions may signal a shift in energy policy. Could you share your thoughts and reaction?

A: First of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate Ms. Takaichi on her election as the new LDP president. That said, in my current position, I would prefer not to comment on the individual policies presented by each candidate during the presidential election. The Government of Japan has stated on many occasions that the introduction of renewable energy must be based on coexistence with local communities. We have strengthened business discipline by requiring community briefings and temporarily suspending subsidies in cases of legal violations. In addition, we are currently working in coordination with the relevant ministries to review laws and regulations related to solar power generation businesses, with the aim of establishing a framework for further strengthening governance in this sector. Furthermore, in promoting the future introduction of renewable energy, we intend to strongly advance the social implementation of perovskite solar cells, a next-generation technology originating in Japan. In this way, the government considers it important to advance the introduction of renewable energy while ensuring harmony with local communities and fostering technological self-reliance.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Q: I would like to ask about Expo 2025, which you mentioned at the beginning. Since your appointment, you have been closely involved with the Expo as the minister of the competent ministry. Looking back, do you consider the Expo a success, or were there aspects that did not go as well as expected? What are your thoughts?

A: As I mentioned earlier, there is still one week remaining in the Expo’s duration, so I believe it is premature to comment on whether it has been a success or not. As I stated, we will continue to approach the remaining period with a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of the event. That said, thanks to everyone involved, the cumulative number of visitors, including Expo affiliates, has exceeded 26 million. According to survey results, over 70% of visitors have given very positive feedback, which I take as a very encouraging sign. One of the major achievements of the current Expo has been the opportunity to interact with people and cultures from various countries, allowing us to feel a stronger connection with the world. Additionally, through business interaction, promotion of the appeal of regions across Japan, and demonstration of cutting-edge technologies, I believe the Expo has played a role in creating opportunities to shape a vision for Japan’s future. Of course, there were challenges and issues, such as the ticketing system, heat-related concerns, and venue management. When facing these difficulties we worked closely with stakeholders and experts to address them one by one. I believe these efforts have contributed to the positive reception from visitors. Regarding its legacy, based on instructions from Prime Minister Ishiba, a framework will be established under the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister in Charge of the World Expo 2025 to begin discussions after the event’s closure. We intend to deepen dialogue with relevant stakeholders on both the physical legacy, such as the Grand Roof Ring, and the intangible legacy leading to the social implementation of innovations.

Dr. Sakaguchi Shimon receives the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Q: I would like to ask about the Nobel Prize. Yesterday, it was announced that Dr. Sakaguchi Shimon has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on regulatory T cells. This research has led to the creation of a drug discovery venture. Could you share your thoughts on the award and whether there is any connection with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry?

A: As you are aware, yesterday Professor Sakaguchi of Osaka University was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. It is truly gratifying to see Japan’s outstanding research achievements recognized in this way, and I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Sakaguchi. At METI, we have been supporting RegCell, Inc., a drug discovery startup founded by Professor Sakaguchi that utilizes the regulatory T cell technology for which he received the award. This support has been provided through the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), covering clinical trials and research and development. We will continue to provide support to ensure that the outstanding research achievements recognized for the Nobel Prize lead to the discovery of innovative pharmaceuticals.