[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the sixth meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the report by the team in charge of reviewing the basic policy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“This marks the first year of regional vitalization, and we will see comprehensive strategies formulated and enacted in the regions.

In April, we established a system for analyzing regional economies, a powerful tool for the promotion of regional revitalization. Under the leadership of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan, I would like the Government to work as one when providing information to local governments, such that there is no vertical segmentation of ministries.

The Government intends to establish new forms of subsidies in the FY2016 budget to eliminate the harmful effects of vertical segmentation in the provision of subsidies related to regional revitalization, and to support initiatives for regional vitalization with a focus on pioneering businesses and best practices, thereby deepening efforts for regional revitalization. To that end, we must work together under a unified policy and secure the necessary financial resources.
Led by Minister Ishiba, I would like all the relevant ministers to work together, and move forward with efforts toward the revision of existing subsidies and the establishment of new forms of subsidies.

I request that your discussion today focus on the deepening of regional vitalization in order to establish a full-fledged flow of people to the regions. I also ask that the discussion be connected to the formulation of the ‘Basic Policy for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy 2015,’ which I have requested that you complete this month. Thank you.”