[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 18th meeting of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, debate took place on certifying the special zone plan, evaluation of the six zones from the first designations, and the third designations for National Strategic Special Zones.

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

“Today we have made another major achievement in regard to the National Strategic Special Zones.

From March next year, foreign domestic workers will start working at individual households in Kanagawa Prefecture. This will result in a lightening of the burden of those doing housework, providing them with a broader range of activity. In particular, I am sure this will be a major support for those who have to balance their jobs with managing their households.

Furthermore, Japan’s 10th National Strategic Special Zone has been newly determined. It comprises Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture, which are linked by the Shimanami Kaido, a road traversing the Seto Inland Sea.

For example, new endeavors, including the opening of privately run roadside stations along the Shimanami Kaido, and projects in the life sciences and other relevant emerging new fields such as the establishment of an international educational hub for veterinary sciences, will promote the flow of people to the area from around the world, from fields such as tourism, education, and entrepreneurship, thereby realizing regional vitalization.

Chiba City, which will conduct verification trials of delivery by drone of medical and other items, and Kitakyushu City, which is advancing the employment of the elderly in collaboration with Fukuoka City, will become new National Strategic Special Zones.

There is no end to the National Strategic Special Zones of the Abe administration. If regulatory reform proposals that have high economic benefits are made by local governments or business operators, we will also swiftly respond to them.

We will realize each concrete project one by one and, if necessary, we will designate new National Strategic Special Zones. Thank you.”