Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fourth meeting of the Headquarters for Promoting Decentralization Reform at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on "the transition of work and authority from the national government to local governments and from prefectural governments to the governments of ordinance-designated cities, and other matters" and "the overview and vision of decentralization reform," and the "review policy for the transition of work and authority, and other matters" was decided.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"In order to create independent local governments which leverage their unique characteristics, it is indispensable that decentralization reform is promoted. I have pledged that my Cabinet will steadily press ahead with the series of decentralization reforms that were started during the first Abe Cabinet.  
I would like to thank the relevant ministers for their leadership and efforts in compiling the 'review policy' for the remaining issue, 'the transition of work and authority from the national government to local governments, and other matters,' along with the transition of work and authority from prefectural governments to the governments of ordinance-designated cities, and other matters. By submitting the fourth round of bills to the next ordinary session of the Diet, the series of decentralization reforms will make a great leap forward and enter the next phase.
Today, Minister Shindo will brief us on the 'interim compilation of the overview and vision of decentralization reform,' which will serve as guidelines for forthcoming initiatives.
I would like to ask relevant ministers to take the initiative in pursuing reforms, bearing in mind the 'review policy' which will be decided today as well as the 'interim compilation.'"