[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe jointly held the 11th meeting in FY2015 of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, and the 23rd meeting of the Industrial Competitiveness Council, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, the Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2015, and the 2015 revision of the Japan Revitalization Strategy were discussed.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks today for your having compiled the Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2015, and the draft revision of the Japan Revitalization Strategy.

The basic policy of the Abe Cabinet is that ‘there can be no fiscal soundness without economic revitalization.’ After about a quarter of a century, Japan’s economy is continuing to reach positive conditions in both the macro and the micro aspects. We will be sure to seize this opportunity to work with unflagging resolve for comprehensive economic and fiscal reform. I would like Minister Amari, with the cooperation of the relevant ministers, to now develop specific measures under the Basic Policies.

We are entering the second stage of the Abe Cabinet’s growth strategy. In order to overcome new issues that will arise, such as supply constraints, we must invest in the future, drive innovation, and realize productivity reform. Also, after the fundamental strengthening of cybersecurity, we will reform industry by utilizing IT in all kinds of socioeconomic systems.

Moreover, through university reform and work style reform, we will create human resources who will pave the way for the future. In addition, we must advance the structural reform of Japan by accomplishing reforms of vested interests, thereby expanding both domestic and international investment in Japan.

I would like to once again thank all Council members for truly having devoted your passion, time, and efforts to these reforms, and to request your continued cooperation to further strengthen and deepen Abenomics. Thank you.”