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On September 30, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the seventh meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy in 2019 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the priority issues of the new Cabinet in the second half of this year, achievements so far and priority issues going forward in the field of social security, and matters related to the joint statement on the Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Today, we first discussed the priority issues of the new Cabinet in the second half of this year. Going forward, I would like the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy to engage in intensive discussions based on the proposals that we have received from the expert members today.
 
In particular, while the Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, there is a need to pay full attention to the trends in overseas economies such as the intensified tension over trade issues between the United States and China. I would like to ask Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Nishimura to monitor and review economic situations in Japan and abroad more closely and report to the Council accordingly. We will exert every effort for macroeconomic and fiscal management, in preparation for any domestic and foreign risks that may become tangible.
 
We also held a discussion on the achievements we have attained so far, and the priority issues moving forward, in the field of social security. The Abe Cabinet has produced significant results, by advancing economic revitalizations, fiscal consolidation and social security reform in a holistic manner. At the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, we would like to deepen our discussions from such perspectives while closely collaborating with relevant bodies, such as the Planning Meeting on a Social Security System Oriented to All Generations.
 
Moreover, we also discussed matters related to the joint statement on the Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement that President Trump and I announced last week. This outcome is the fruit of the persistent negotiations led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi and the efforts of all the staff involved until now. It is a win-win for both Japan and the United States. Taking this important opportunity, the Government intends to continue making significant contributions to the strengthening of the global free trade system, and utilize it to promote further economic growth of our country and improve the welfare of the people.”