Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended a meeting of the Council for Gender Equality at the Prime Minister's Office.

After receiving the report, "Basic Approach to the Formulation of the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality" from Mr. Takashi Kashima, member of the Council, the Prime Minister said in his address, "Previously, gender equality was often perceived as being more of a female-centered issue. This report, instead, I perceive to incorporate in a number of places the viewpoint that it is extremely important for men to take action in response to gender equality, going beyond the boundaries of gender."