Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the second meeting of the Council for a New Pension System at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, the members discussed the basic stance of a new pension system (mid-term report).

In the opening address, the Prime Minister said, "As you know, this Cabinet aims to bring about a strong economy, robust public finances, and a strong social security system, in an integral manner, in order to build a society in which the people can have hope for the future, given the progression of the declining birthrate and aging society.
The pension system, in particular, which is the largest of the social security systems, is losing a considerable amount of trust from the people. It is vital that we establish a new pension system that is fair and will gain the trust of the people to take the place of the current system as soon as possible.
The pension system is one that is close and important to the people, and at the same time, a long term system. Therefore I believe it is desirable to advance a reform based on a national, bipartisan debate.
In order to move forward with a bipartisan debate, I would like to compile fundamental principles for a new pension system today at this meeting.
The pension issue is one in which the people have a high interest, so it is important to discuss the matter in a transparent and comprehensible manner, from the perspective of the people."