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The Prime Minister in Action
Regulatory Reform Promotion Council
March 29, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 14th meeting of the Regulatory Reform Promotion Council at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the meeting, there was a discussion on reducing the costs of administrative procedures.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today we received strong requests directly from the leaders of the Three Economic Associations. Taking into consideration these requests, the Government will work as one to jointly promote regulatory reforms and the simplification of and greater use of IT in administrative procedures.
In regard to fields where there is a heavy burden on business operators, such as business permits and approvals, we will strive to reduce administrative costs by at least 20% by 2020, when the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held.
Furthermore, in regard to all fields, I have given thorough instructions that three principles will be closely followed. First, we will make it possible to complete administrative procedures via solely electronic means. Second, the same information will only need to be submitted once. Third, uniform styles and formats will be used.
I will instruct each ministry and agency to compile and publish a cost reduction plan by June. We will review these plans in an open process in the Regulatory Reform Promotion Council, and oversee their progress.
In addition, in regard to the procedures of regional public organizations, the reality is that, even when they are procedures for the same purpose, the formats and styles often differ depending on the municipality, and thus they require many hours to complete. I would like to request the cooperation of regional public organizations for improving administrative procedures, in conjunction with the measures carried out by the Government.
Through such measures, we will strongly support the improved productivity and work style reform of companies in Japan. Thank you.”