[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a meeting with mayors of municipalities at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to express my thanks to all the mayors from municipalities throughout Japan who are attending this meeting today, which continues on from last year’s meeting.

The economic policies of the “three arrows” of the Abe Cabinet are steadily producing results, and positive trends are also appearing in the regions, such as improvement in the ratio of job offers to job seekers and increased tax revenues.

This year marks the starting point for regional vitalization. By deepening regional vitalization, we will further spread the benefits of Abenomics so that they are fully felt throughout the country, and work to enable each and every citizen to experience an abundant life.

At the end of last month, we compiled the ‘Basic Policy for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy 2015’ and determined support measures such as establishing new forms of subsidies for FY2016 in order to provide our full support for motivated and creative regional initiatives. Through these measures, we will provide strong support for the implementation of the regional versions of the comprehensive strategy that will be decided this year by local governments. I believe that there are many treasures in the regions. The regions have beautiful nature, rich culture and traditions, and outstanding human resources and wisdom, all holding enormous hidden potential. These are your regions. The basic stance of the Abe Cabinet is to thoroughly listen to the views of the regions. 

Last year, we received a large number of specific proposals from the regions. Many of them have been implemented to resolve various local issues, starting with the transfer to local governments of the authority to approve the diversion of agricultural land, which had been a major unresolved issue for many years. This year too, we have received the large number of 334 proposals, and will continue to strongly and steadily implement reforms in order to realize them.

As the closest representatives of the people in your communities, mayors are working tirelessly on the frontlines of local government and taking the lead in their communities. I am delighted that today I have the opportunity to hear your views directly. Although we only have a short time together today, I would like to ask for your frank opinions. Thank you very much.”