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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting to follow up on proposals of the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, discussion was held on the state of progress of the proposals to date.

In his opening address, the Prime Minister said,

“The Abe Cabinet has received eight proposals from the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, and in response has advanced reforms, such as revisions of the relevant laws, with a sense of urgency.

As members of the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, you have all held vigorous discussions, and compiled many proposals. I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to you all.

It is the ‘implementation’ that is the key to ‘education rebuilding,’ and it is extremely important to thoroughly follow up on the contents of these proposals.

To that end, we have established this follow-up meeting, composed of those who compiled the proposals.

In particular, major issues include measures to lower the voting age, fostering high-quality teachers, reforms of the connections between high schools and universities, establishing new higher education institutions offering vocational programs, and the securing of sources of funding for education.

Focusing on these issues, I would like you to thoroughly inspect the state of progress and strictly point out any areas in need of improvement.

I would like you all to serve as the engine for realizing the content of the proposals.

It is important that the mission of education rebuilding permeates the actual educational institutions, and is reflected in day-to-day educational activities.

I would like all of the expert members to continue to provide your support. Thank you.”