Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 13th meeting of the Council on Measures for Society with Decreasing Birthrate at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, emergency measures to overcome the declining birthrate crisis were decided.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

"Japan is faced with a 'declining birthrate crisis' that could rock the very foundation of our society and economy.
It is incumbent on us to turn into reality the people's hopes and dreams to bear and raise children and change the declining birthrate trend.
Therefore, today, we have decided on the 'Emergency Measures to Overcome the Declining Birthrate Crisis.' 'Childcare support' and 'work style reform' will be further reinforced through measures, such as the 'Plan for Accelerating the Elimination of Childcare Waiting Lists' and the creation of an environment that facilitates the taking of childcare leave if employees wish to, until their child reaches the age of three.
In addition to these two pillars, 'marriage, pregnancy, and child delivery support' has been set forth as a new pillar of the measures. By having these as our 'three prongs or arrows,' we will take thorough measures to cope with the declining birthrate more than ever before.
In doing this, it is critical that the measures match the situations of the communities, and we must promote companies and municipalities to take active initiatives.
I would like to ask relevant ministers to steadily implement the 'Emergency Measures,' so that we may build a country in which people can bear and raise children on which the future rests and pass this wonderful country onto future generations."