Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the third meeting in FY2013 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on "economic measures," "FY2014 budget formulation and local finance measures," and "the promotion of decentralization reform."

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"Today's meeting is the third meeting of the 'Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments' in FY2013. I intend to continue 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.
On this past December 5, the Abe Cabinet compiled 'economic measures for the realization of a positive cycle of the economy.' These measures will secure a path toward an exit from deflation and toward economic revitalization, truly becoming an investment for the future. Through supplementary budgets and the FY2014 budget that is currently being formulated, I hope to simultaneously achieve economic revitalization and fiscal soundness across the national and local governments. I hope to join together with everyone, in order to ensure that everyone across the country experiences the economic recovery firsthand, and to bring vitality to the regions.
In regard to the second decentralization reform started by the first Abe Cabinet, I intend to steadily realize the remaining issue from that reform, of 'the transition of work and authority from the national government to local governments, and other matters' with this Cabinet. To that end, I want to take strong steps toward a new phase of decentralization reform, while listening to the voices of the people in the regions.
Today, I hope that you will offer us your insights on these themes and continue to make this a highly fruitful Forum."