Japan Economic Future&Recovery-IMF

Independent Films, Politics

The IMF expressed confidence that Japan's economy is strong and the government fully resourced to address the immediate humanitarian and economic needs, (while the longer and shorter term effects of the disasters are still difficult to assess.

The World Bank has estimated that the cost of the disaster for Japan is US$235 billion, and that it will take 5 years to rebuild.

Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

Caroline Atkinson, Director, External Relations, International Monetary Fund (IMF):
“I would like to express on behalf of the IMF our deepest condolence to the people of Japan facing this tragic development of this past week.”
3. Cutaway reporters
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Caroline Atkinson, Director, External Relations:
“We do believe that restoring the economy to its full growth potential is the most important contribution that policy can make now. On the fiscal side, the focus should be on providing humanitarian assistance, rebuilding infrastructure, and addressing the nuclear situation. Japan has the financial capacity and resources to address that and it would be our recommendation that they do so.”
5. Cutaway, reporters
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Caroline Atkinson, Director, External Relations:
“The most important impact now and considerations that we all have in our minds are about the terrible human suffering that this tragedy is involving. On the economic side, we do believe what the Japanese government has been doing—both on the monetary side to take decisive actions to ensure the stability of the financial system, and to do what is necessary to meet the needs of the people affected by the crisis, and then looking forward to rebuild the critical infrastructure, is the appropriate policy.”

WASHINGTON, DC – RECENT

7. Exterior, IMF

STORYLINE:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today expressed condolences to the people of Japan following last week’s earthquake and tsunami.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington D.C., spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson said that although the short-term and long-term effects of the disaster are difficult to assess at this early point in time, Japan’s economy is strong and the government fully resourced to address the immediate humanitarian and economic needs.

Tags

• japan
• disaster
• economy
• rebuild

Directors:

• Mo Sacirbey, UNTV-IMF

Producers:

• Susan Sacirbey