[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the sixth meeting in 2017 of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, there was discussion on the ideal state of investment in human resources and of the learning and education fields, and that of vitalizing local economies and social infrastructure development.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

"Today, firstly we discussed the ideal state of investment in human resources and of the learning and education fields.

Investment in human resources and improving the quality of education is important in increasing labor productivity and accelerating the positive cycle of growth and distribution.

We heard the views of private sector members, in particular on university reform.

I would like the relevant ministers to deepen the discussion, taking into consideration the views of the private sector members.

Secondly, we discussed the ideal state of vitalizing local economies and social infrastructure development. We heard the view of private sector members that it is important to realize social infrastructure development whereby regional productivity increases, through the advancement of public private partnerships and private finance initiatives (PPP/PFI) and the revitalization of land use.

I would like for PPP/PFI to be implemented under the leadership of Minister Ishihara, and for the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the relevant ministers to work together to rapidly achieve results in the revitalization of land use."