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Cabinet Decisions and Other Announcements
Basic Policy (Cabinet decision on November 1, 2017)
November 1, 2017
The tense North Korea situation. Japan’s aging society and dwindling birthrate. We will deal with these situations that should also truly be called national crises and protect this nation. It was with this resolve that we set out our policies in the recent general election and received the strong support of the people of Japan.
With this stable political foundation, and in cooperation with the international community, we will advance resolute and strong diplomacy in response to the threat from North Korea and protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people of Japan. We will tackle the aging society and dwindling birthrate through a combination of efforts to implement a productivity revolution and achieve a human resources development revolution.
To fulfil the mandate given to us by the people, the Cabinet will make concerted efforts to promote the following measures and achieve results.
1. Accelerating the Reconstruction
We will further accelerate the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and revitalize Fukushima while paying careful attention to the feelings of the people in the disaster areas. This will involve, above all else, a shared mindset that “each minister is a minister for reconstruction,” as well as breaking down the over-compartmentalized bureaucracy that exists among ministries and agencies. Concurrently, we will exert our utmost efforts to achieve recovery and reconstruction in the areas that have been affected by successive natural disasters around the country.
2. Carrying out a “Human Resources Development Revolution”
We will resolutely carry out a “human resources development revolution” that is not constrained by the uniform thinking we had until now. We will construct a bold vision for the future of the economy and society that looks ahead to a 100-year life society. We will ensure that people have the opportunity to relearn and take on new challenges at any age. We will engage in our endeavor to enable all children, regardless of their families’ economic situations, to work hard towards achieving their dreams. In this way, we will transform Japan into a country overflowing with opportunities for everyone. We will revise the way in which consumption tax revenues are used, and, by boldly investing in families and children, we will shift Japan’s social security system to become one that is oriented to all generations.
3. Achieving a Society that Promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens”
We will put a halt to the trend of the aging population and declining birthrate, and maintain a population of over 100 million people for the next 50 years. We will also build a society in which all people – elderly or young, female or male, and people with an illness or disability – can take another step forward beyond where they now stand.
To achieve a society that promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens,” we will let loose the following three new arrows based on the clear targets we have set. All ministers at their respective ministries will fully commit to designing and implementing bold and effective measures that do not rely on conventional thinking.
We will advance “Work Style Reform.” Aiming to achieve a society that enables diverse working styles, we will boldly reform the employment system that will include revising the practice of working long hours and realizing equal pay for equal work.
(1) A robust economy that brings hope
Unless there is a strong economy, we cannot create hope for tomorrow. We will continue to place top priority on the economy.
Our aim is to achieve the largest GDP in postwar history of 600 trillion yen.
The “three arrow” economic policy so far will be further strengthened, and we will lead the world in achieving a “productivity revolution.” By sustaining a virtuous economic cycle driven by increases in employment and rises in wages we will aim to exit deflation.
We will fully advance the vitalization of local regions in tangible ways, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. In recent years, natural disasters have caused catastrophic damage all over the country. Drawing on the lessons learned from these experiences, we will continue to take all possible measures to manage and respond to crises, and promote greater national resilience in order to stand ready for disasters.
Aiming to achieve a society in which all people are dynamically engaged, we will also take steps to realize a “society in which all women shine.”
(2) Childcare supports that weave dreams
Infinite potential lies within children. We will build a society in which everyone can weave large dreams, depending on the efforts they put in.
Our aim is to accomplish the goal of “the desirable birthrate of 1.8.”
We will implement reform plans to transform our society to be more childcare-friendly in all aspects, and create a society where everyone can fulfill their wishes to get married or have children.
We will also increase investment in our young people. We will reform the education system into a double-track system and promote the revival of education that cultivates the individuality of all children.
(3) Social security that provides reassurance
We will reform and enhance our social security system in order to build social security schemes that guarantee security not only for senior citizens, but also for the current working-age population.
Our aim is to reduce to zero the number of people who are forced to leave their jobs to provide nursing care for their family members.
We will also make bold efforts to establish nursing care facilities and foster nursing care professionals to accelerate the achievement of a society where people can balance both work and nursing care.
We will reform our healthcare system to place greater emphasis on prevention, as well as encourage corporate investments in health. In addition to these measures, we will provide diverse work opportunities to highly motivated senior citizens, and thereby create a society where people can remain in the workforce throughout their lifetime. By raising the overall level of incomes, including pensions, we will support senior citizen households to attain economic autonomy.
4. A Japan that Shines on the World’s Center Stage
We will work hand in hand with countries that share universal values, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and promote “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map” with greater vigor. In response to the issue of North Korea, we will advance resolute diplomacy in cooperation with the international community, and with the robust Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone, we will solidify our security arrangements and secure the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people in any situation. We will contribute more than ever before to achieving peace and prosperity in the world under the banner of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” in accordance with the National Security Strategy.
On realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan, we must not allow Futenma Air Station to indefinitely remain at its current location. In order to maintain deterrence as well as to alleviate the burden of the bases in Okinawa in a visible manner, the Government as a whole will work to ensure that all possible efforts are made on mainland Japan.
Lastly, high expectations are placed on public servants at each ministry. Their ability to form innovative ideas and take resolute actions are essential for achieving a society that promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” and building a new Japan. Public servants are asked to exercise their potential to the fullest extent with pride in their hearts as professionals of government administration. They are urged to actively make proposals in devising policies and to take bold actions at their workplaces while considering the sensitivities of the people and never forgetting the perspectives of the public.
With this stable political foundation, and in cooperation with the international community, we will advance resolute and strong diplomacy in response to the threat from North Korea and protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people of Japan. We will tackle the aging society and dwindling birthrate through a combination of efforts to implement a productivity revolution and achieve a human resources development revolution.
To fulfil the mandate given to us by the people, the Cabinet will make concerted efforts to promote the following measures and achieve results.
1. Accelerating the Reconstruction
We will further accelerate the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and revitalize Fukushima while paying careful attention to the feelings of the people in the disaster areas. This will involve, above all else, a shared mindset that “each minister is a minister for reconstruction,” as well as breaking down the over-compartmentalized bureaucracy that exists among ministries and agencies. Concurrently, we will exert our utmost efforts to achieve recovery and reconstruction in the areas that have been affected by successive natural disasters around the country.
2. Carrying out a “Human Resources Development Revolution”
We will resolutely carry out a “human resources development revolution” that is not constrained by the uniform thinking we had until now. We will construct a bold vision for the future of the economy and society that looks ahead to a 100-year life society. We will ensure that people have the opportunity to relearn and take on new challenges at any age. We will engage in our endeavor to enable all children, regardless of their families’ economic situations, to work hard towards achieving their dreams. In this way, we will transform Japan into a country overflowing with opportunities for everyone. We will revise the way in which consumption tax revenues are used, and, by boldly investing in families and children, we will shift Japan’s social security system to become one that is oriented to all generations.
3. Achieving a Society that Promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens”
We will put a halt to the trend of the aging population and declining birthrate, and maintain a population of over 100 million people for the next 50 years. We will also build a society in which all people – elderly or young, female or male, and people with an illness or disability – can take another step forward beyond where they now stand.
To achieve a society that promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens,” we will let loose the following three new arrows based on the clear targets we have set. All ministers at their respective ministries will fully commit to designing and implementing bold and effective measures that do not rely on conventional thinking.
We will advance “Work Style Reform.” Aiming to achieve a society that enables diverse working styles, we will boldly reform the employment system that will include revising the practice of working long hours and realizing equal pay for equal work.
(1) A robust economy that brings hope
Unless there is a strong economy, we cannot create hope for tomorrow. We will continue to place top priority on the economy.
Our aim is to achieve the largest GDP in postwar history of 600 trillion yen.
The “three arrow” economic policy so far will be further strengthened, and we will lead the world in achieving a “productivity revolution.” By sustaining a virtuous economic cycle driven by increases in employment and rises in wages we will aim to exit deflation.
We will fully advance the vitalization of local regions in tangible ways, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. In recent years, natural disasters have caused catastrophic damage all over the country. Drawing on the lessons learned from these experiences, we will continue to take all possible measures to manage and respond to crises, and promote greater national resilience in order to stand ready for disasters.
Aiming to achieve a society in which all people are dynamically engaged, we will also take steps to realize a “society in which all women shine.”
(2) Childcare supports that weave dreams
Infinite potential lies within children. We will build a society in which everyone can weave large dreams, depending on the efforts they put in.
Our aim is to accomplish the goal of “the desirable birthrate of 1.8.”
We will implement reform plans to transform our society to be more childcare-friendly in all aspects, and create a society where everyone can fulfill their wishes to get married or have children.
We will also increase investment in our young people. We will reform the education system into a double-track system and promote the revival of education that cultivates the individuality of all children.
(3) Social security that provides reassurance
We will reform and enhance our social security system in order to build social security schemes that guarantee security not only for senior citizens, but also for the current working-age population.
Our aim is to reduce to zero the number of people who are forced to leave their jobs to provide nursing care for their family members.
We will also make bold efforts to establish nursing care facilities and foster nursing care professionals to accelerate the achievement of a society where people can balance both work and nursing care.
We will reform our healthcare system to place greater emphasis on prevention, as well as encourage corporate investments in health. In addition to these measures, we will provide diverse work opportunities to highly motivated senior citizens, and thereby create a society where people can remain in the workforce throughout their lifetime. By raising the overall level of incomes, including pensions, we will support senior citizen households to attain economic autonomy.
4. A Japan that Shines on the World’s Center Stage
We will work hand in hand with countries that share universal values, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and promote “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map” with greater vigor. In response to the issue of North Korea, we will advance resolute diplomacy in cooperation with the international community, and with the robust Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone, we will solidify our security arrangements and secure the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people in any situation. We will contribute more than ever before to achieving peace and prosperity in the world under the banner of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” in accordance with the National Security Strategy.
On realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan, we must not allow Futenma Air Station to indefinitely remain at its current location. In order to maintain deterrence as well as to alleviate the burden of the bases in Okinawa in a visible manner, the Government as a whole will work to ensure that all possible efforts are made on mainland Japan.
Lastly, high expectations are placed on public servants at each ministry. Their ability to form innovative ideas and take resolute actions are essential for achieving a society that promotes “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” and building a new Japan. Public servants are asked to exercise their potential to the fullest extent with pride in their hearts as professionals of government administration. They are urged to actively make proposals in devising policies and to take bold actions at their workplaces while considering the sensitivities of the people and never forgetting the perspectives of the public.
