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Prime Minister Attends Meeting of
Nation's Prefectural Governors
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Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended a Meeting of the Nation's Prefectural Governors held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, as an assembly by the governors of all 47 prefectures.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda greeted the participants by saying, "Japan has been making efforts at structural reform in all areas of its economy and society, which have led to a certain degree of success such as a recovery in our economy and an expansion in employment. However, in the process of forging ahead with the structural reforms, problems have arisen that are broadly called the issues of disparities. I find it important for both central and local governments to face up to the reality of the situation, and do our utmost to provide proper solutions to each and every issue that brings anxiety to the people." He went on to say, "I will endeavor to reflect the voices of local regions to policy making and help them realize their full potential" by holding regular opinion-exchange meetings between the central and local governments and by having the ministers visit various regions to take heed of the local voices. In response, Mr. Wataru Aso, the President of the National Governors' Association and Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, said, "In his policy speech, Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his determination to work on the development of a national system that enables local regions to explore ideas on their own and implement them, under the concept of "mutual cooperation," in which the central government and local governments, as well as local regions and cities, support each other. He also pledged to strive for local tax and financial reforms so that the local regions can become financially independent as well. We have been greatly encouraged by these ideas set out by the Prime Minister and expect that policy programs will be advanced based on these principles." |