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On October 7, 2020, the Prime Minister attended the first chairpersons’ meeting of the Council for Promotion of Regulatory Reform at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions towards immediate deliberations.

Following the discussions, the Prime Minister said,

“Today, we heard a number of constructive opinions from the members here. Responding to the novel coronavirus, adapting regulations to digital transformation, and revitalizing the economy, including areas outside major cities, are all important issues. In particular, in the digital age, Japan should aim to take full advantage of online medical consultations and medication instructions as well as distance learning. We must advance reforms, by fully unleashing the potential of digital technologies.  

Regarding administrative procedures, we are moving forward dramatically in our reviews of the practices of requiring written forms, the application of physical seals, and face-to-face interactions. Minister Kono has already announced the policy of discontinuing in principle the application of seals to government documents. Based on this policy, I request the relevant ministries and agencies to compile very soon a review policy for all relevant administrative procedures. In addition, in advancing the digitalization of business contracts in the private sector, fundamental reviews of regulations must be advanced so that those regulations, including the obligation to physically deliver documents when transactions take place or the obligation to have persons with qualifications permanently stationed in an office, do not hinder digital transformation. Furthermore, the Government must listen carefully to the ideas submitted by the citizens to the Regulatory and Administrative Reform Hotline and swiftly take actions towards reforms, starting from what can be done immediately.

In order to do our utmost to advance regulatory reforms by getting rid of bureaucratic sectionalism, vested interests, and the notorious habit of following past precedent, I requested the Minister for Digital Transformation and other relevant ministers in charge of regulations and systems to closely collaborate with each other, in particular with Minister Kono, to advance bold regulatory reforms.

I would like to invite Council chair Kobayashi and all other Council members to engage in discussions that will help to bring about such kinds of regulatory reforms. Thank you.”