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On December 18, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 14th meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, there was discussion regarding the revision of the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy, and on best practices in vitalizing local economies.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“In both the cases of Yamagata Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture, on which we were briefed today, local universities in the designated prefecture worked as central forces in collaboration with local companies and farmers to breathe new vitality into the local economy. Such initiatives serve as a model for vitalizing local economies. I very much intend to roll out such initiatives across the country.

We will enable young people to study, work, and take on the challenge of creating new businesses in their hometowns. To achieve such a vitalization of local economies, we will submit legislation to the next ordinary session of the Diet aimed at promoting training and employment for young people, including the development of splendid local universities.

In addition, in order to create a major flow of people to local areas, I would like Minister Kajiyama, in collaboration with other relevant ministers, to aim to compile a set of bold policies that are not constrained by conventional thinking, by next summer, that will help young people feel that there are opportunities for them in the regions.

We will revise the comprehensive strategy based on today’s discussion. Based on this revised comprehensive strategy, the Government will work as one to vitalize local economies and create regions that are full of dreams and hopes for young people.”