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On January 22, 2020, the Prime Minister received a courtesy call from the Education Rebuilding Leaders’ Council at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“I would like to thank the members of the Education Rebuilding Leaders’ Council for your visit to the Prime Minister’s Office today, after a long time. Since the inauguration of the second Abe administration, we have been exerting every effort towards rebuilding education, following the first Abe administration. It is important to draw up and simultaneously execute a plan for rebuilding education. The execution of the plan truly relies on the efforts of all the leaders of local governments, who are responsible for education on the frontline. Looking at your faces today, I can feel that you are all filled with an extremely strong sense of determination.
 
In the era of Reiwa, those who pave the way in this new era are our children. It will be the responsibility of us—the national and local governments—to create an environment that enables children to pursue their dreams.
 
The Abe administration is boldly investing in children. As you are aware, last year, we made early childhood education and childcare free, and from April this year, we will make higher education for those children truly in need free of charge. I hope that we can create a society where all children can head towards the future and their dreams, regardless of the economic situation of their household.
 
Furthermore, in the budget for the next fiscal year, owing to Minister Hagiuda’s fervent efforts, it has been decided to provide all the elementary and junior high school students with computers over the coming four years, towards Society 5.0, amidst the advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This not only helps students acquire computer skills but also makes it possible for students in all regions, even in sparsely populated areas, to receive education of the same standard as major cities with this tool. It is important to procure hardware; we have already secured the budget for it. At the same time, what is most important is how we will utilize it, while gathering talents for that.
 
This is where we need the power of you leaders and I would like to ask for your continued support and efforts. Going forward, we aim to work together with all of you to produce results on rebuilding education. Thank you.”