• 
• 

 
On September 19, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 30th meeting of the Council on Investments for the Future at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the key points of the Growth Strategy and the development of rules for the digital market.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Today, we began our discussions towards the next Growth Strategy. At this first meeting, I have heard your views on the proceedings of our deliberations and the focus of our discussions.
 
Firstly, we touched upon the materialization of Society 5.0. As far-seeing, long-term R&D investment becomes ever more critical, it is important that incumbent companies, which have abundant financial and human resources, do invest in start-ups and new fields. At the same time, we will also advance the improvement of business relationships to improve the productivity of small- to medium-sized enterprises. We will also support ambitious business owners.
 
Secondly, we discussed the development of rules for digital markets. We decided to establish a Headquarters for Digital Market Competition to invite experts on digital markets, and proceed with discussions on this matter. I would like the Chief Cabinet Secretary, who chairs the Headquarters, to facilitate discussions on the transparency of the dealings with digital platform businesses and the protection of privacy, and reach specific conclusions.
 
Thirdly, we also addressed various initiatives in the field of mobility and financial services. We are carrying out deliberations to find specific solutions to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers by the end of this year, leveraging Society 5.0 technologies, including the installment of an automatic braking system.
 
Fourthly, the maintenance of local infrastructure and competition policy were also discussed. We intend to compile a concrete legal framework by the end of this year to maintain the functions of local banks and passenger buses. With respect to the next Growth Strategy, we intend to compile an interim report by the end of this year and make a Cabinet decision on a new action plan by the summer of 2020.
 
I would like to ask Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization Nishimura and related ministers to start detailed deliberations swiftly.”