Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the meeting of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments held at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on decentralization reform efforts and the formulation of the Basic Policies, among other matters.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"Today's meeting is the first meeting of the 'Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments' in FY2013. During this fiscal year as well, I intend to employ this 'Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments' for pursuing measures in partnership with regional governments on the key policy issues of concern to the regions.
As I have always stated, there will be no vitalization of Japan without the vitalization of regional communities. It is important that the division of roles between the national and regional governments be reviewed and that this is linked to the revitalization of the entire nation.
Fully bearing in mind the developments to date and the opinions of the regions, we will continue to steadily carry out decentralization reform, including the easing of regulations for regional governments and the transfer of power.
The immediate priority of the Abe Cabinet is economic revitalization. At the same time, fiscal soundness must be achieved. We need to take steps in a way which will ensure that economic revitalization, along with fiscal soundness achieved through the efforts of national and regional governments, generate a virtuous cycle in which they mutually contribute to the advancement of each other. This is my intention, and I would like to ask for your understanding and cooperation.
Today, I look forward to hearing the frank opinions of the regional governments on the two themes of 'decentralization reform efforts' and 'formulation of the Basic Policies, among other matters' and to having fruitful discussions."