Cabinet Decision
[Provisional Translation]

It has been more than 1,000 days since the Abe administration was inaugurated. During this time, we have persistently pressed forward with the “three arrow” economic policy, the most drastic reforms since the end of World War II. This has led to increases in employment and rises in wages, and to circumstances that are no longer deflationary.

Japan is finally ready to greet a new morning.

We must start to act now. The time has come to embark on renewed nation-building. Under the flag of “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens,” the Cabinet will work collectively to tackle structural challenges head on, including the aging population and declining birthrate that have long been outstanding issues.

While setting our sights on the future, we will restore “a Japan where everyone can pursue their dreams and hopes,” “a Japan that shines on the world’s center stage,” and “a Japan we can be proud of,” and leave such a country to our children’s and grandchildren’s generations. Based on this strong determination, the Cabinet will make concerted efforts to promote the following measures.

1. Accelerating Reconstruction
We will further accelerate the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and revitalize Fukushima, while paying careful attention to the feelings of the people in the disaster areas. This will involve, above all else, a shared mindset that “all ministers are ministers for reconstruction,” as well as breaking down the administrative vertical divides that exist among ministries and agencies.

2. Achieving a Society that “Promotes Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens”
We will put a halt to the trend of the aging population and declining birthrate, and maintain a population of over one hundred million people for the next 50 years. We will also build a society in which all people - elderly or young, male or female, and those with intractable illnesses or disabilities - can take another step forward beyond where they now stand.

To achieve a society that “Promotes Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens,” we will loose the following three new arrows based on the clear targets we have set. All ministers at their respective ministries will fully commit to designing and implementing bold and effective measures that do not rely on conventional thinking.

(1) A strong economy that gives rise to hope
Unless there is a strong economy, we cannot create hope for tomorrow. We will continue to place top priority on the economy.

Our aim is to achieve the largest GDP in postwar history of 600 trillion yen.

The “three arrow” economic policy up to this point will be further strengthened to sustain a virtuous economic cycle driven by increases in employment and rises in wages.

We will fully advance the vitalization of local regions in tangible ways, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. In recent years, natural disasters have caused catastrophic damage all over the country. Drawing on the lessons learned from these experiences, we will continue to take all possible measures to manage and respond to crises, and promote greater national resilience in order to stand ready for disasters.

In our pursuit of a society in which all people – elderly or young, male or female, and those with intractable illnesses or disabilities – are dynamically engaged, we will take steps to realize a “society in which all women shine,” and promote reforms that enable diverse work styles, among other measures.

(2) Dream-weaving childcare supports
Infinite potential lies within children. We will build a society in which everyone can weave large dreams, depending on the efforts they put in. 

Our aim is to raise the birthrate to 1.8 children per woman, which is the level the public has indicated as desirable.

We will reform society to make it childcare-friendly in all aspects, and create a society where everyone can fulfill their wishes to get married or have children. We will reform the education system into a double-track system. In addition, we will promote the revival of education that cultivates the individuality of children, such that everyone is able to receive the education they wish, irrespective of the economic situation their families face.

(3) Social security that provides reassurance
We will reform and enhance the social security system in order to build social security schemes that guarantee security not only for senior citizens, but also for the current working-age population.

Our aim is to reduce to zero the number of people who leave employment to provide nursing care.

We will make aggressive efforts to establish nursing care facilities and foster nursing care professionals to accelerate the achievement of a society where people can balance both work and nursing care.

We will reform the healthcare system to place greater emphasis on prevention, as well as encourage corporate investments in health. In addition to these measures, we will provide diverse work opportunities to highly motivated senior citizens, and thereby create a society where people can remain in the workforce throughout their lifetime. By raising the overall level of incomes, including pensions, we will support senior citizen households to attain economic autonomy.    

3. A Japan that Shines on the World’s Center Stage
We will work hand in hand with countries that share basic values, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and promote “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map” with greater vigor. With the strong Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone, we will solidify our security arrangements and secure the lives and peaceful daily lives of the Japanese people in any situation. We will contribute more than ever before to achieving peace and prosperity in the world under the banner of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” in accordance with the National Security Strategy.

In realigning the U.S. Forces in Japan, we must not allow Futenma Air Station to remain at its current location indefinitely. In order to maintain deterrence as well as to alleviate the burden of the bases in Okinawa in a visible manner, the Government as a whole will work to ensure that all possible efforts are made on mainland Japan.

Lastly, high expectations are placed on public servants at each ministry. Their unique inventiveness and active dynamism are essential for achieving a society that “Promotes Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” and building a “new Japan.” Public servants are asked to exercise their potential to the fullest extent with pride in their hearts as professionals of government administration. They are urged to actively make proposals in devising policies and to take bold actions at their workplaces, while considering the sensitivities of the people and never forgetting the perspectives of the public.