Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 11th meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on how to make social security more efficient and the relationship between the national government and regions, as well as local finance.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

"I think of Japan's universal health insurance system, which requires just one single health insurance card, as the world's preeminent system, in which anyone, anywhere, can receive a reliable level of medical services.
On the other hand, social security benefits are growing faster than the nominal growth rate. Given the super-aging society with a dramatically falling birthrate, which is unprecedented in the world, we must uphold our universal health insurance system into the future, and maintain the sustainability of the social security system and finances that support the peace of mind of the public.
Today, from private-sector members, we heard extremely important proposals, namely, 'change the mindset and lifestyle of the public, and create a society of good health and longevity, a society in which people could be active all their lives, and a society in which those who work hard are rewarded,' and 'strengthen insurer functions while comprehensively utilizing IT for medical and nursing care information, and apply the advanced example of the medical initiatives forwarded by Fukuoka Prefecture in other places on a prefecture by prefecture basis.'
Based on the discussion in the National Council on Social Security System Reform as well, I want Minister Tamura and Minister Amari to actively respond to these proposals from private-sector members, and advance needed discussion toward building a sustainable social security system that maintains the balance between benefits and contribution.
In particular, I want consideration to be made toward concretely advancing a framework related to the comprehensive use and application of IT for medical and nursing care information.
In addition, there will be no revitalization of the Japanese economy without the revitalization of regional economy.
Private sector members made proposals about the importance of 'creating a framework for a society in which those who work hard are rewarded so that we can make use of the wisdom and efforts of the regions,' as well as 'effectively providing necessary public services in the midst of great change in the structure of the economy and society of the regions along with the declining birthrate and aging population.' I want Minister Shindo to collaborate with relevant ministers such as Minister Aso to reconsider the administrative and financial system of local government based on these points.
In addition, I want the national government and regions to move forward in tandem toward the thorough advancement of initiatives for fiscal soundness in the midst of the severe fiscal situation. I look forward to everyone's cooperation for this."