Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the seventh meeting of the Administrative Reform Promotion Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on the review of administrative programs.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

"The Abe Cabinet has made the tough decision to raise the consumption tax in April of next year in order to simultaneously achieve economic revitalization and fiscal soundness, as well as to stabilize social security and ensure that the social security system is passed onto future generations. The Government must make absolutely sure that it will not invite criticism for using tax money, which is paid by the people, on wasteful expenditures or on measures that are of low priority.
Last week, the 'Autumn Review,' which conducts rigorous checks of the programs of each ministry through the eyes of external experts, was held in an open setting. During the review, we received some strong comments for improving the programs, and an extremely meaningful discussion took place. I would like to once again express my gratitude to all of the distinguished experts from the private sector for their cooperation in compiling the findings.
Based on the compiled findings of the review, the Cabinet will take steps to make definitive improvements. First, I will have each ministry and the Ministry of Finance carry out reviews one at a time aimed at concrete improvements, and the Minister in charge of Administrative Reform conduct follow-ups, so that the findings are fully reflected in next fiscal year's budget.
Through these efforts, the Government as a whole will continue to ensure that waste is eliminated. To the members of the Council, I would like to ask for your continued cooperation."