Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the governors of the member prefectures of the Childcare Alliance at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Hardworking fathers and mothers are hard-pressed to choose between their careers and raising their children.
In order to create a society where they do not have to make such choices, and where fathers and mothers are able to care for their children, I support your efforts to take the initiative and take childcare leave, and I believe this will also contribute to the development of local communities."