Prime Minister Naoto Kan held a meeting of the Ministerial Committee on the Formulation of the Budget at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the results of the review of government programmes, and other matters.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address, "I would now like to finalize the process of reflecting the results of the review of government programmes, or thoroughly harnessing the voice of the people through such means as the policy contest, as the process of budget formulation begins in earnest. We are at the stage to decide on specific measures for individual topics one by one, such as the child allowance, the agricultural budget, and treatment of the Special Funding to Bring Vigor Back to Japan. I ask you for further efforts in your respective responsibilities, so that this budget can catalyze a major shift away from deflation and toward bringing the Japanese economy back on the growth track."