[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the second meeting in FY2016 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on the budget request for FY2017, vitalizing local economies, and advancing decentralization reform.

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

“This is the second meeting in FY2016 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments.

I believe it is vital to utilize this Forum to advance important policy issues concerning the regions, while closely listening to the voices of the people of the regions.

The supplementary budget was approved on October 11th. This budget earmarks funds for economic measures to realize investments for the future exceeding 28 trillion yen in project scope.

Toward the realization of the desired birthrate of 1.8 children per woman and reducing the number of people who leave employment to provide nursing care to zero, we will accelerate the expansion of the capacity of daycare and nursing care facilities, and encourage work style reform in order to create a society in which everyone can fully exhibit their skills and abilities. We will pave the way for a future in which all citizens are dynamically engaged together with the people of Japan.

Vitalizing local economies has reached the stage of all-out project development. We will proactively support enthusiastic local public bodies in terms of information, human resources, and finances.

In regard to decentralization reform, we will continue to receive many views directly from local communities. Based on a stance of closely listening to the opinions of the regions, we will strongly and steadily advance reforms.

The basic policy of the Abe administration is that Japan’s vitality depends on the vitality of its regions. Following the stance that paving the way for the future of regions is the same as paving the way for the future of Japan, we will thoroughly support the efforts of regions and dedicate our fullest efforts so that young people living in regions can fulfill their future dreams in these regions. In this respect, we will pay utmost attention to and recognize your views and opinions.”