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On October 15, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the second meeting in FY2018 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Local Governments, held at the Prime Minister’s Office. 
 
At the meeting, discussion took place on the promotion of regional revitalization and decentralization reform.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend this meeting today. It has made it possible for us to hold a meeting of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Local Governments right after the reshuffling of the Cabinet.
 
Japan will not have vitality unless its regions do as well.
 
The promotion of regional revitalization and decentralization reform has been the issue of utmost importance since the inauguration of my administration. Today, we will focus on sustainable social security and community-building at this meeting, with Japan facing the declining birthrate and aging of society.
 
The local economies are the very engines that will drive Japan’s future growth. Even more people from overseas will have an opportunity to taste Japan’s safe and delicious agricultural, forestry and fisheries produce, and even more foreign tourists will have an opportunity to enjoy experiences that are only possible in Japan’s regions. The Government will provide active support in the areas of information, human resources, and finances for such efforts of local economies to take on the challenge of regional revitalization and to build communities in a well-thought-out manner based on their unique ideas.    
 
Against the backdrop of the rapidly declining birthrate and aging of society, we will reform our social security system so as to provide peace of mind for all generations in the coming three years.
 
Furthermore, in light of the recent series of natural disasters across Japan, we will exert nationwide efforts to build communities where people can live with safety and peace of mind. Over the next three years, we will also intensively implement emergency measures to develop infrastructure that is better suited to rapidly changing weather conditions, and to promote disaster prevention, disaster mitigation and national resilience.
 
I am looking forward to your candid views and comments. The Government will listen carefully to the voices of the local communities and firmly promote policies towards the creation of dynamic communities. Thank you very much.”