Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Women in Business Summit held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"The recruitment of women must be increased and sustained at all levels. This must take hold in society; it is not enough for only some women to shine.
We are making efforts to ensure that this momentum to recruit women is not merely a temporary trend and that it takes hold across the whole of Japanese society. To that end we are encouraging all companies to establish plans for the recruitment and training of women for managerial and other positions.
Investors are closely monitoring the state of women's active engagement at companies. As such, to further advance women’s employment in companies, we will take thorough measures to ensure that data regarding the state of women's employment and working conditions at companies and other such information is disclosed. Furthermore, we would like women to be able to shine not only in their careers but also through leading fulfilling personal lives.
To realize this, we must reform the existing work style that places importance on the amount of time spent working. We will press forward in reviewing the system of labor that gives consideration to the work-life balance.
We must also create an environment in which women can balance careers and child-raising. We are proceeding with the necessary arrangements at full-speed towards our goal of eliminating childcare waiting lists.
Additional childcare capacity for approximately 400,000 children will be secured by FY2017. An ample budget has in fact been allocated, and we are making progress.
Furthermore, once children enter primary schools, they will also need places to pass the time after school. Safe and secure facilities will be newly built and made available for 300,000 children in the next five years in order to ensure that women are not forced to quit their jobs due to the 'first grade barrier,' namely, the problem of children having nowhere to go after school after enrolling in primary school. Rest assured. A sufficient budget has been secured for this policy as well.
Additionally, we will create an environment that will allow homemakers to harness their strengths in society. We will support their active involvement in childcare support activities and entrepreneurship.
I would like to renew my commitment to make every effort to realize a society in which all women shine."