Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the tenth meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy of 2014 at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, discussion took place on “reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake,” “measures for addressing the declining birthrate,” and “the formulation of Basic Policies.”
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said in his address,
“There will be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of the disaster area.
I would like Minister Nemoto to accelerate the rebuilding of residences and reconstruction of communities toward the creation of a ‘new Tohoku.’ I would also like him to thoroughly advance initiatives to revitalize people’s ability to make a living, and to support the healthy living of people affected by the disaster.
In order to alter the trend of the rapidly declining population and the advancement of extreme population aging, it is crucial that we provide seamless support for marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, through radical initiatives that are not confined to existing frameworks.
Furthermore, we must build a society that guarantees diverse opportunities to allow all children to maximize their potential, regardless of their parents’ economic status or their own upbringing, and we must eliminate child poverty.
I would like Minister Mori to thoroughly systemize these measures and strongly promote them.
In addition, I would like this council to hold comprehensive discussion on the tax system, the social security system, and spouse allowance, toward the further facilitation of the active role of women. I would like Minister Amari to work on this in coordination with the relevant ministers and other relevant officials.
Over a year and a half has passed since we launched the ‘three arrows’ of Abenomics to achieve economic revitalization. The Government as a whole will take measures to create the necessary environment to ensure that we overcome deflation and realize sustainable growth, including budgetary and tax arrangements, and regulatory reform. I would like to ask Minister Amari to work toward the compilation of the Basic Policies.”