Konbanwa to all those in Japan – and good morning and afternoon to those joining from elsewhere! Let me start with a big thank you to President Gonokami and his colleagues at Todai -- The University of Tokyo -- for working with us to host this very important conference. I also would like to wholeheartedly applaud Japan for its continuing leadership on the world stage – not least in support of the IMF. Japan is one of the largest contributors to IMF financial resources and concessional lending facilities, and a steadfast supporter of the Fund’s capacity to build skills and institutions in the developing world. PRESS ... (full story)