[Provisional Translation]

The global economy faces various risks.

In order to avoid falling into another crisis, Japan must lead the world in strengthening international cooperation, and at the same time, mobilize all policy measures to accelerate Abenomics still further and achieve maximum “escape velocity” to break free from deflation.

Supported by the voices of the Japanese people calling for “stability in politics,” as a result of the election, the ruling coalition has now secured the most stable political foundation in the post-war period in the House of Councillors. Feeling acutely the weight of responsibility placed upon us, we will dedicate ourselves more than ever before to running the Government. It is from this foundation that we must diligently, and with a greater sense of urgency, move to implement each and every one of the policies we pledged in the election campaign.

Our task is to hoist even higher the flag of “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” and open up a bright future for Japan.

The Cabinet needs to make concerted efforts to fulfill its “responsibility to the future.” We will advance dynamically along this path, hand in hand with the people of Japan. Based on this determination, in order to restore “a Japan we can be proud of” where hard working people are rewarded, the Cabinet will make collective 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. Concurrently, we will exert our utmost efforts to achieve reconstruction from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake as quickly as possible.

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, female or male, and people fighting an illness and people with 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.

Our greatest challenge is reforming the working style of our people. Aiming to achieve a society that enables diverse working styles, we will boldly reform the employment system that will include revising the practice of working long hours and realizing equal pay for equal work.

(1) A robust 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 so far 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, female or male, and people fighting an illness and people with disabilities – are dynamically engaged, we will take steps to realize a “society in which all women shine” and 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 accomplish the goal of “the desirable Birthrate of 1.8.”

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 increase investment in our young people. 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 all 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 are forced to leave their jobs for nursing care.

We will make bold 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 ability to form innovative ideas and take resolute actions 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.