[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the eleventh meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, there was discussion regarding the revision of the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“We will spread Abenomics to every corner of Japan, and raise the average income in local economies. We will develop brands out of tourism resources and agricultural, forestry and fishery products that each region is proud of. We will revitalize unused assets such as empty shops and old, traditional Japanese-style homes, and attract new companies and people. Furthermore, we will foster core businesses that have many clients and drive local economies. We will provide focused assistance to such local government initiatives.

Young people tend to congregate in Tokyo, but we will create and strengthen a flow of these people to the regions. In particular, we will provide support so that young people can find work in the regions, such as by supporting the development of curricula at regional universities that can foster the types of human resources that local companies seek, and collating and disseminating information to enable more students to participate in internships in local companies. In addition, in regard to the issue of how to change the tendency of young people to congregate in Tokyo from the time they enter university there, we will determine our policy direction by next summer. I would like Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan Yamamoto and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Matsuno to work together to consider these issues.

I know that a wide range of views have been expressed today and we will take them into account as we revise the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy within this month.”