Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 14th meeting of the Council for the Implementation of Education Rebuilding at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on "the future of the education system."

The Prime Minister received the fourth proposal of the Council for the Implementation of Education Rebuilding. Afterwards, the Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"I would like to again express my gratitude to the Council for the fourth proposal you have just compiled.
It is extremely important that we continue with the integrated reform of the three issues discussed this time:

• Improving the quality of high school education;
• Strengthening universities' function of fostering human resources; and
• University entrance examinations.

Today, I have received the proposal that through these reforms, we should not merely foster passive academic abilities focused on the ability to memorize information, but instead foster proactive learning abilities such as the ability to discover and explore issues, and evaluate those abilities in a positive manner.
In addition, I have received the proposal to introduce new basic level and advanced level achievement tests, and make it possible to attempt each test multiple times.
This is a proposal for the biggest reform in over 20 years since the start of the tests of the National Center for University Entrance Examinations in 1990.
I believe this proposal will lead to changes across the entirety of the education process, from elementary school to university. 
I request that Minister Shimomura give a thorough explanation to the public, starting with the students taking the examinations and their guardians, and immediately begin considering concrete policies.
I believe that it is important that we have truly 'bold ideas' and 'careful future plans.'
After my remarks, this Council will discuss the future of the education system.
This too is an extremely broad issue. I request that the members of this Council hold wide-ranging discussions, and propose a future for the education system that is prepared for the coming times."