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On May 19, 2020, the Prime Minister attended the first meeting in FY2020 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Local Governments, held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants held consultations on the planning of the Basic Policy (on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform) and other issues, as well as the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to thank the representatives of the Six Local Government Organizations for attending this meeting. Today our discussions will focus on the response to the novel coronavirus disease and the Basic Policy (on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform).

I express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone for the efforts on coronavirus disease control you are making every day.

At the Expert Meeting held last week, the objective criteria for lifting the state of emergency was set, and in light of that, the state of emergency was lifted in 39 prefectures. In addition, we will also request the Expert Meeting to assess the situation again on May 21, and if it is possible, we intend to lift the state of emergency without waiting until its completion date set on May 31.

By lifting the state of emergency in many areas, in order to create a new normal for everyday lives in the age of coronavirus, we have assessed that it is necessary to introduce another set of new measures. With that in mind, we have begun formulating the second supplementary budget with the following measures as its pillars: fundamentally enhancing Employment Adjustment Subsidies, establishing a new assistance scheme to further reduce rents for micro-, small- and medium-sized business operators, establishing a new mechanism for supporting students, extending robust support to solve various issues faced by medical institutions, and implementing measures to strengthen financial functions. We intend to decide the budget allocation aiming at May 27, and swiftly submit it to the Diet thereafter.

Meanwhile, the Basic Policy identifies the priority issues in and direction for the Cabinet’s economic and fiscal policy. Moving forward, the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy will hold meetings to discuss its content. Looking ahead to a time when we have overcome the current crisis, we will establish and accelerate a new normal for everyday life, promoting societal transformation. To this end, we would like to make this year’s Basic Policy thoroughly include the policy direction on our efforts and relevant measures for that.

To turn this crisis into a major opportunity for societal transformation, I would like to hear your candid views in order for the national and local governments to cooperate further on adjusting the excessive concentration of the population in Tokyo and advance the development of vibrant local communities.

This is truly a time when it is important for the national and local governments to work as one to advance measures, including coronavirus disease control. I look forward to your cooperation today.”