[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the third meeting of the Council for Combating Childhood Poverty at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the meeting, discussions took place on the direction of enhanced policies for supporting the independence of single-parent households and households with multiple children, and preventing child abuse; further developing the National Movement to Support Children’s Futures ; and the holding of meetings of the Advisory Council for Combating Childhood Poverty .

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

“We have determined the direction for policies for supporting the independence of single-parent households and preventing child abuse. We will strengthen our response for resolving the issues that children face, while working closely with guardians.

I would like the relevant Cabinet members, including the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, to work together and advance preparations for compiling, by the end of the year, an effective policy package that includes measures to secure financial resources.

In October, we will begin the National Movement to Support Children’s Futures. I request that the Cabinet Office, which will serve as the secretariat; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; and the Nippon Foundation work together as one in order to gain the widespread understanding and cooperation of the public for the establishment of a fund.

The future of Japan depends on the future of our children. We should ask ourselves what the fundamental issues are, what the personnel structure is like  at the operational level, and whether or not the intended effects of policies are being realized, as we work to produce results. Thank you.”