[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted the third “Meeting with the Prime Minister and Workers to Exchange Views on Work Style Reform,” at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for coming here today despite your extremely busy schedules.

We are now implementing work style reform. We will change the current system that overlooks the problem of long work hours. Also, under the two work styles of regular and non-regular employment, many people feel they are not receiving fair treatment for the work they do. Ultimately, this is connected to a lack of a rise in productivity. As I work to create a society where young people work with hopes for the future in mind, I would like to get rid of the word “non-regular.”

At the same time as working to improve conditions for non-regular employees, we are discussing the introduction of equal pay for equal work, and this discussion is truly entering its peak. At the next Council meeting, we will submit draft guidelines, and I would like you to discuss them. Accordingly, today I would like to hear the opinions of those of you who actually have the experience of being non-regular employees or are currently working as non-regular employees. I would like to hear your views on what the issues and concerns are, and what things should be changed to shift work styles to a better direction. Then, in compiling the guidelines, I would like to consider these views, and to incorporate the necessary elements in the guidelines. Thus, I would like all of you to frankly share your views.

Although this may be a very difficult atmosphere for you to speak in, I would appreciate if you would truly express your honest thoughts. Thank you very much.”