Friday, May 18, 2001
| The first meeting of the Urban Renaissance Headquarters took place in the Ministerial Office in the Diet Building. In his opening remarks Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi noted that, "Cities will be a source of vitality in the 21st century and it is a major task facing the administration to see to it that our cities are made more attractive and that their international competitiveness is enhanced." The Prime Minister also stated that, "Urban rejuvenation is not something that can be realized through the efforts of the Cabinet alone, but is rather something that will be achieved through the combined efforts and wisdom of many people in many areas, such as local governments and the economic world. I ask all related Ministers to follow the policies I have laid out and channel all their energies into tackling 'urban rejuvenation'." |