Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended the 37th meeting of the Council for Gender Equality at the Prime Minister's Office, and received the report, "Revision to the Basic Plan for Gender Equality," from Ms. Kazuyo Katsuma, member of the Council.

After receiving the report, the Prime Minister said in his address, "I have been engaged in discussions on the concept of gender equality on various occasions since many years ago. Given the scale and breadth of this issue, it is not easy to bring about visible changes or produce outcomes in a substantive manner. I myself feel there is resistance to progress on the issue in Japanese society because of this.

Against this backdrop, this time in particular, I understand that the Council has made a report that places importance on the plan's effectiveness, indicating the necessity to define targets depending on the situation. I believe a society led by women is desirable if we are to bring vigor back to Japan amidst a prevailing concern that Japanese society may head into decline."