Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Social Security System Reform at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, following a report on the operation of the Headquarters, discussion took place on "bills relating to comprehensive reform and the social security-related budget (concerning comprehensive reform) for fiscal 2014."

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"Amid the major changes occurring to the social security environment, including the continued decline in the birthrate and the aging of the population, we must securely hand down Japan's world-renowned social security system, consisting of universal health insurance and the universal pension, to future generations, and achieve a society that is full of vitality.
Additionally, it will be extremely important to also provide solid support for children and child-rearing that will be acceptable to the younger generations who will support Japan's future.
To this end, first of all the full amount of the tax revenue arising from the consumption tax increase in April this year will be allocated to social welfare, and, in addition to moving forward with eliminating childcare waiting lists, we will also enhance areas such as home medical and healthcare services and measures to address intractable illness.
At the same time, ceaseless reform is required in order to create a system with a balance between benefits and burdens. I will make thorough efforts to ensure that this Headquarters becomes a "control tower" for making fiscal 2014 the first step in reform.
I want to move steadily forward with social security reform and restore "peace of mind in day-to-day life." For this I would like to request the cooperation of the relevant ministers."