[Provisional Translation]

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

During the meeting, discussion took place on the direction for regional vitalization initiatives.  

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

“This year will be the starting point for regional vitalization. We must speed up initiatives in order to achieve the regional vitalization started by the establishment and execution of comprehensive strategies in each region, and put a halt to population decline in Japan.

To that end, led by Minister Ishiba, I would like for work to move forward on the following four points in particular.

First, we will aim to compile the ‘Basic Policy for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy 2015’ and establish the future direction for initiatives by June of this year. Next, along with the compilation of the basic policy, we will create opportunities to hear the frank opinions of those in the regions, including through regional visits. Third, in order to further promote initiatives led by the regions, we will consider new forms of subsidies to be implemented from FY2016 and embed them in the basic policy. Lastly, we will further consider effective policies to encourage people to move out of the Tokyo metropolitan area and into the regions.

The best lessons are truly learned on the front lines. The regions must lead the way in establishing a virtuous cycle in which ‘jobs’ call to ‘people’ and ‘people’ call forth ‘jobs.’ I ask for the cooperation of all of the relevant ministers in achieving this.”