[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the ninth meeting of the Headquarters for Promoting Decentralization Reform at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on the response policy for the proposals received from the regions in 2015.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister stated,

“Decentralization reform is an extremely important theme of regional vitalization. The Government has positioned this year as the starting point for regional vitalization, and worked strongly to this end.

With the basic stance of listening closely to the views of the regions, we have carefully considered each of the many proposals we have received. As a result, we have been able to respond to over 70 percent of these proposals.

In particular, in regard to the transfer of authority to the regions of Hello Work, the Government’s employment service center, which regional groups have strongly requested to be realized, we have decided to establish regional versions of Hello Work, enabling the regions to make use of the national Hello Work system.

As a result of the unstinting efforts of all those involved, we have been able to resolve this long-standing issue.

In order to further advance reforms for the regions based on regional ideas, I would like to request all the Ministers to continue to show powerful leadership and to steadily advance initiatives based on the response policy determined today. Thank you.”