Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fourth meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the framework for a long-term vision and comprehensive strategy, and a draft long-term vision and draft comprehensive strategy were compiled.

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

“We have managed to compile a ‘long-term vision’ to continue supporting a population of 100 million people, and a ‘comprehensive strategy’ to encourage motivated local communities. I would like to work quickly and make a cabinet decision on these drafts tomorrow.

The regions will each leverage their unique characteristics and pioneer new horizons with their own passions. I believe that we have made the first step toward regional vitalization and that this should be celebrated.

The important thing is that each region think for itself and then act and create reform. Through that kind of autonomous motivation, each region will be thoroughly vitalized, and we will be able to work towards a bright future. This is our fundamental concept, and I believe that we are already creating this kind of momentum in the regions, and that people are realizing that this time is different from past attempts at regional vitalization. This time, they themselves will be working for regional vitalization, and it is important for everyone to think for themselves in order to accomplish this.

I expect that first, in each region, measures will be implemented to encourage consumption, regional versions of the comprehensive strategy will be established swiftly, and regions will begin initiatives such that the wave of economic recovery can spread across the country.

The Government will make every effort to support such regional initiatives by making use of every possible measure, including those related to budgets and human resources. We will incorporate the needed measures in tomorrow’s economic measures and draft budget for the next fiscal year. Making use of this, I hope that those in each region will use their own wisdom to compete with each other and that regional vitalization will be accelerated.

Although these meetings have only been held for a short time, the experts gathered here have been able to have intensive and significant discussions. I want to again express my gratitude for that, and at the same time ask for your continued cooperation moving forward. Thank you very much.”