Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the 11th meeting of the Council on the Realization of the New Growth Strategy at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the strategy to promote a growth-oriented longevity society and regional revitalization, among other matters.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "The Council on the Realization of the New Growth Strategy discussed the strategy for innovative energy and environment at the meeting before last, the strategy to prevent the hollowing-out of industries and to develop overseas markets at the last meeting, and the strategy to promote a growth-oriented longevity society and regional revitalization at today's meeting - all critical issues for the future of Japan.
How will we turn the trends of increasing longevity and declining population into a positive force? Will we be able to create a good model for the world moving forward or will we fail in this endeavor? I believe these are very important issues.
As we engage in reconstruction in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster, I would like to strive to turn this devastating experience of the large-scale earthquake disaster into a springboard for positive change. In the sense of overcoming the variety of challenges, I also intend to promote the proposal to create a new model by making use of the special zones which have put in place bold measures, etc."