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On May 29, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting in FY2018 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Local Governments at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
During the meeting, discussions took place on the formulation of the Basic Policy, and other matters.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“This is the first meeting of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Local Governments in FY2018. I believe that it is vital to address important policy issues related to the regions, while utilizing this Forum and closely listening to the voices of the people. Today, with respect to the Basic Policy to be compiled this summer, I hope to have the candid views from the local governments and take them into account.
 
In the upcoming Basic Policy, we will present the target year by which we will achieve a primary balance surplus for the national and local governments, as well as the concrete and effective plans to achieve that.
 
The fundamental position of the Abe Cabinet remains unchanged. Japan will not have vitality unless its regions do as well. To create a major flow of people to local areas, we will compile a set of bold policies that are not constrained by conventional ideas and that help young people feel that opportunities do lie in the regions ahead of them.
 
While listening carefully to the voices of those in the regions, we will provide active support in the areas of information, human resources, and finance for the challenges towards regional vitalization and the development of local economies based on their own creative ideas, and accelerate these initiatives.
 
The Abe Cabinet will surely take into account the views expressed today and continue to advance our policies.”