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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting in FY2017 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 formulation of the Basic Policies, vitalizing local economies and advancing decentralization reform, and other matters.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"This is the first meeting of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments in FY2017. For the important policy issues that affect the regional governments, it is essential to make use of this Forum and listen closely to your opinions as we address the issues.

The Abe Cabinet has tackled important policy issues, such as by expanding child rearing supports and nursing care, and promoting work style reform, in our pursuit to realize a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged.

In order to accelerate a positive cycle of growth and distribution through the joint efforts of the national and regional governments, it is critical to raise productivity through investing in human resources, and we have made this the focus of the Growth Strategy as we work to formulate the Basic Policies.

Concerning the vitalization of local economies, in order to chart a new path in this interim year of the comprehensive strategy, we will thoroughly implement initiatives to mitigate the concentration of the population in Tokyo, and will continue to proactively support the ambitious initiatives of local public bodies in terms of information, human resources, and financing.

Further, in regard to decentralization reform, we will continue to steadily advance decentralization reforms for the regions based on regional ideas.

Today I hope to hear the frank views of the regions on these matters, which will be reflected into the policies."