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On November 20, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Local Autonomy Act coming into force, held in Tokyo in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Prime Minister said in his congratulatory address,

“Today, on the occasion of this ceremony held in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Local Autonomy Act coming into force, I would like to make some congratulatory remarks as Prime Minister.

The Local Autonomy Act came into force 70 years ago alongside the Constitution of Japan, which secures local government. Recently, taking into account the changes in society and the world, we have been making progress in regional decentralization reform that reviews the division of roles between the national and local governments and provides regions with a higher degree of freedom. Local public entities are becoming inventive and implementing their own measures with the goal of making the regions more attractive.

Over the past 70 years, local public entities have made great contributions for the creation of a prosperous society in which the people can live with peace of mind, and for the development of the nation. I would like to once again express my appreciation for the hard work of our predecessors, and express my respect for the efforts that local public entities have made for the establishment and development of local governments.
 
Japan is faced with the unprecedented situation of a rapidly declining birthrate and aging population. The national Government and local public entities must join forces to overcome this issue and pioneer a future for Japan. The Government will take full advantage of the outstanding talented people and wisdom that can be found in the regions, and pursue the basic stance that Japan will not have vitality unless its regions have vitality.

In conclusion, I would like to express my wish that the relevant parties will proactively maintain unique administrations that are suited to the situation in the regions, and make further efforts for the development of their respective regions and improvement of the welfare of local residents. I would also like to express my hope for the further growth of the local governments in Japan and the development of Japan.”