[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting of the Council on the Promotion of Kids Week to Advance Holiday Reforms for Increased Family Time, at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, discussion was held on Kids Week.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your participation in this first meeting today of the Council on the Promotion of Kids Week to Advance Holiday Reforms for Increased Family Time, in spite of your busy schedules.

Children spending their holidays with their families and friends and taking part in local events will deepen family and community ties. This is important to nurture open-mindedness and benevolence in children, and is believed to be useful for increasing their self-esteem.

Therefore, with the aim of securing time that adults and children can spend together, we will advance measures for the staggering of school holidays from next fiscal year according to the situation of each region. This is the realization of “Kids Week.”

For example, by moving part of the summer or winter holidays to another time of the year, a long holiday will be created that is specific to a particular region. It will not be a long holiday when the roads are congested everywhere. It will be a long holiday during which people can enjoy relaxing with families and friends.

In France, the country is divided into three regions, and school holidays are staggered among them. In Japan, too, for example, Shibuya City has created autumn holiday by adopting a two-semester school system.

In order for Kids Week to take hold, not only must schools make efforts, but companies also need to promote the acquisition of paid leaves. Kids Week is closely interlinked with work style reform, and is also related to promotion of holiday reforms. I hope that Kids Week will serve as an opportunity to generate momentum for making it easier to take paid leaves, for both those with children and those without. Furthermore, various other benefits can be anticipated, such as regional development, economic vitalization, expansion of employment, and leveling of tourism demand. This is truly a new challenge to foster people and to change society, and this Council will become the ‘engine’ for this endeavor.

In order to make these measures appropriate for the situation in the regions, I would like each region to establish a committee and hold discussions. The Government will also work as one to take steps so that Kids Week firmly takes hold, including by carrying out the necessary ordinance amendments.”