I worked at the Bank’s Takamatsu branch as General Manager for about two years since May 1996. During my stint, I visited frequently many local business managers and learned about local economic and financial conditions in detail. Extraordinary managerial efforts I witnessed at that time still vividly remain in my memory.
I will also never forget that I had delicious Sanuki udon here many times. Today, I will talk about the outlook for Japan’s economy and its medium- to long-term challenges, and viewpoints of the conduct of monetary policy, while focusing on the European debt problem which is the greatest concern for the global economy for the time being. I.