[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fifth Thematic Meeting of the Industrial Competitiveness Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on university reform as well as revitalizing and improving the productivity of the service industry.

Based on the discussion in the meeting, the Prime Minister said,

“Today, for the further advancement of the Growth Strategy, we have had a discussion on university reform and the service industry.

In order to make Japan the most innovative country in the world, the role of universities is vital. Until now, national universities have been unclear in the setting of missions that build on the features of each university. It cannot be denied that management has been lacking some measure of autonomy.

We will formulate the National University Management Strategy by this summer, and advance university self-reform based on a mission selected from three types. To that end, along with advancing the integrated reforms of subsidies for operating expenses and competitive capital, we will promote the acquisition of outside funds and the operation of assets.

The service industry, while being responsible for more than 70% of Japan’s economy and serving as an important pillar of support for the regional economy, has experienced some delay in productivity improvement. However, since each area of the service industry has its own unique features, and is closely linked to each region, a policy to achieve improved productivity which takes a universal approach would not work.

Accordingly, in order to encourage the revitalization of the service industry, I intend to approve the Service Industry Challenge Program as soon as possible. Through the cooperation of the government and the service industry, IT and manufacturing expertise can be injected into service industry workplaces, and we would also like the users to reexamine their business practices.

We will create a system whereby SME groups, regional financial institutions, and experts alike provide support throughout all regions of Japan, and initiate a movement with strong regional roots. 

In order to achieve regional vitalization through Abenomics, I would like each minister not to wait for the revision of the Growth Strategy, but rather to implement the program immediately. Thank you.”