Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting of the Headquarters for the Growth of Small and Micro Enterprises held in Tokyo.

At this meeting, opinions were exchanged on the everyday management of the corporation (including cash flow and management consultation) and efforts toward growth (including manufacturing, overseas business, starting new business and activities in shopping districts).

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Today, people from small- and mid-sized enterprises and small-scale business operators gathered here in Ota Ward, Tokyo, which is the center of manufacturing in Tokyo where many small factories are located.
The mission of the Abe Administration is to restore a proper society wherein people's earnest effort is rewarded, with a proper economy. I believe that all the people here today have been working earnestly every day, from early in the morning.
Now, we have been carrying forth policies under the concept of 'three prongs,' namely, bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy, and a growth strategy that encourages investment in private sector, like your company. Yesterday, the FY2012 supplementary budget passed the plenary session of the House of Councillors, holding a one-vote majority. As a result, there is a budget of 540 billion yen secured for small- and mid-sized enterprises in the supplementary budget. Also, as for the budget that had been reviewed in the years under the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan, we have allocated 100 billion yen to support the production of prototypes.
Also, we often hear complaints about the application, which requires complicated paperwork, and that people are discouraged just by looking at these documents. Therefore, it was decided to change the application mechanism to one with significantly fewer documents required, so that people will be willing to apply.
The key issue, the key point, is that if Japan becomes a country where people like you here can work earnestly with their eyes alight, it should mean the country is moving toward the right direction.
We would like to create an energetic, bright and strong Japan together with you."