[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a meeting with part-time workers and contracted employees toward the establishment of the Plan to Realize the Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to express my gratitude to you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this meeting today at the Prime Minister’s Office.

As the Minister in charge has just mentioned, the Abe administration has set itself the new target of creating a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged. A society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged entails creating a society in which opportunities are given to everyone, including young people, the elderly, both women and men, people with disabilities, people fighting an illness, and people who have experienced failure one or two times.

The National Census last year showed that the population of Japan has begun to decline. Given this background, in order to thoroughly protect social security, it is necessary to achieve further economic growth. To that end, we must create a society in which every single member can make the most of their abilities and feel a sense of fulfillment. At the same time, I would like to maintain a population of one hundred million. In order to do so, I would like to create a society where people can continue to work while giving birth to and bringing up children.

Gathered here today are part-time workers and contracted employees. In Japan the expression “irregular employment” is used as a contrast to “regular employment.” Unlike Japan, however, in developed countries such as the United States or countries in Europe, this distinction is not made. Instead, they have “part-time” work as a contrast to “full-time” work, and contracted employees. I believe that this way of thinking, which takes into account each individual’s circumstances, will, and workstyle, allows each person to choose the style of working that most suits them. 

As I said earlier, to create a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged truly means creating a society where each person can choose their own workstyle, in accordance with their individual circumstances. We must create an environment whereby making such a choice will not lead to any disadvantage or unfair treatment. To that end, I would like to again review the obstacle posed by the distinction between “regular” versus “irregular” employment. In doing so, we intend to achieve equal pay for equal work. If necessary, we will not hesitate to implement legal revisions.

I would like to reflect the frank views of all of you here today in the Plan to Realize the Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens, which will be compiled next spring. Thank you.”