Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the eighth meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy of 2014 at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on "the prioritization and streamlining of expenditure in education, and educational rebuilding," "the prioritization and streamlining of expenditure in social infrastructure development and national resilience," and "the prioritization and streamlining of expenditure in local finance, and adoption of IT systems for administrative services and program reforms."

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said in his address,

"In formulating the FY2015 budget, it is vital that we fully eliminate wasteful expenditures and carefully prioritize areas that have a high policy impact.
As with last year, I would like to ask the Council to make maximum efforts in accordance with the mid-term fiscal plan towards the achievement of both economic revitalization and fiscal soundness, the top priority of the Abe Cabinet.
With the population projected to decline, we need a bold overhaul of policy tools as well as the system of providing administrative services, such as infrastructure development and education, so that the ingenuity and efforts of the respective local municipalities bear fruit for achieving regional revitalization.
I would like to ask the Council to continue to carry out thorough discussions to come up with a vision.
With regard to the adoption of IT systems for administrative services and program reforms, Government-wide efforts are required.
It is essential to compile a roadmap and to carefully manage our progress. It is also important that the initiatives of local governments are in alignment with those of the Government. Under Minister Shindo's initiative, I would like you to proceed steadfastly with these efforts."