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On April 24, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fifth meeting in 2018 of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, discussion took place on local public administration and finance, and education, two themes of the Integrated Economic and Fiscal Reforms.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Today, we held a discussion on local public administration and finance, and education.
 
Firstly, to make local public finance sustainable, it is necessary to promote expenditure reforms which are in line with the Government’s initiatives, taking into consideration various structural changes, such as the aging society and a shrinking population. With respect to the level of local expenditures, we need to consider a framework towards a primary surplus target. In addition, we must promote productivity revolution in local public administration, utilizing ICT and standardizing procedures, so that local governments have resources and capabilities to address new challenges. Strengthening supports to local governments, which implement these initiatives, and realizing the full visualization, expansion, and horizontal roll-out of these efforts are still among the priority issues for us. I would like to ask Minister Noda and other relevant ministers to conduct a detailed consideration.
 
Secondly, with regard to education policy in the future, amidst the declining youth population, it is necessary to further our efforts towards securing a streamlined and data driven budget allocation for the development of diverse human resources with the capabilities that our society needs.
 
During today’s discussion, priority issues in expenditure reforms going forward were raised, including the active use of external human resources, and streamlined supports for educational institutions, based on the outcome of their reform and education initiatives. I would like to ask Minister Hayashi and other relevant ministers to conduct a detailed consideration.”