Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Tuesday his ministry is considering appointing seven to eight private-sector experts as councilors to help keep the ministry in touch with economic activities.
"I have the impression that our links with the economy in the (private sector) are weakening," Tanigaki told reporters. "We want to hold frank discussions with these councilors."
Tanigaki said the ministry has yet to decide on the appointees but added the councilors should have a wide-ranging understanding of the economy as well as society.
They will act as advisers, and will not be given the power to make policy decisions, he said.