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On June 24, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with chairpersons of prefectural assemblies at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“I thank all of the chairpersons of prefectural assemblies for gathering here from across the country today despite your busy schedules. I appreciate this opportunity to listen directly to the voices of all of you, who are taking the lead and exerting yourself to promote your municipalities.
 
Last week, there was an earthquake centered offshore of Yamagata Prefecture. I extend my sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this disaster, including those injured. We will work closely with Yamagata Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture as well as other municipalities, and exert all efforts to implement emergency disaster response.
 
Last Friday, we decided on this year’s Basic Policy and Basic Policy for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy, which are related to regional revitalization.
 
As a result of our efforts to support the creative initiatives of local communities with full force to date, including the 100-billion-yen Regional Revitalization Promotion Grant, we are seeing record-breaking exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery produce over six consecutive years, and the number of visitors from overseas exceeded the 30 million mark, marking the emergence of inbound tourism as a new major industry. Regional revitalization has started progressing significantly, including increases in local tax revenue by 40% to 50% over the past seven years for most prefectures, as well as some prefectures with revenue growth of 60% to 70%.
 
We will continue our efforts to develop attractive universities in these areas and advance the new system that offers up to 3 million yen to those who migrate to these areas and take a job or start a business. In phase 2 of these efforts, which will commence next year, we will bolster the flow of people and capital into areas outside the major cities through various policy measures, including creating and expanding the groups of people related to each area such as through weekend side jobs in these areas.
 
As we usher in the new era of Reiwa, a series of ministerial meetings for the G20 (Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy) are being held in various parts of Japan in cooperation with you. The G20 Osaka Summit is set to begin this weekend. I hope to take full advantage of the Osaka Summit and the ministerial meetings to promote the various host cities and towns to the world.
 
This autumn, the Rugby World Cup will take place across Japan. Next year, the Olympic Torch Relay will commence from Fukushima, marking the start of the long-awaited Olympic and Paralympic Games. I would like to elevate regional revitalization to a new dimension, when all of Japan will be filled with excitement.
 
It is the fundamental position of the Abe Cabinet to listen thoroughly to the voices of regions.
 
I am looking forward to hearing your candid views at this meeting today. Thank you very much.”