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On October 5, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 12th meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy in 2018 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the priority issues of the new Cabinet as well as social security, which is one of the areas of the Integrated Economic and Fiscal Reforms.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Today, we received comments from private sector members regarding the priority issues that the Abe Cabinet is expected to address by the end of the year and on the establishment of a social security system oriented to all generations.   
 
I totally agree with your points that we must ensure the exit from deflation and economic revitalization, in particular, that, looking ahead to next year’s consumption tax increase, we must take all possible measures towards flexible economic and fiscal management, which consider the ongoing economic situation. I would like to ask Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Motegi to lead the discussions in this Council and carefully consider economic and fiscal management measures in response to the consumption tax increase so that the economy continues to be on the track to recovery, while closely watching the economic situation in Japan and overseas. In addition, I would like the Government to work in unity to establish a mechanism to support relevant stakeholders with their preparations, including with the application of the reduced tax rate, so that the entire society is fully prepared.    
 
In addition, there was also the comment that we should steadily implement the Plan to Advance Economic and Fiscal Revitalization and promote integrated efforts for the reform of social security to be oriented to all generations, in light of the era of playing active roles throughout one’s life. I ask the Council to discuss the priority issues for a sustainable social security system, including clarifying and spelling out a vision for expenditure reform and expenditure targets as well as drafting a new reform schedule by the end of this year.
 
We intend to achieve the social security reform in the next three years. We will begin with ensuring health and longevity and create an environment that enables senior citizens and others to live in good health with peace of mind. I ask that discussions take place under the leadership of Minister Motegi, who will be newly in charge of the reform of the social security system to be oriented to all generations.”