Monday, July 9, 2001
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The Council for the Promotion of Decentralization Reform held its first meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Council for the Promotion of Decentralization Reform was established in the Cabinet Office as the successor body to the Committee for the Promotion of Decentralization, which submitted a final report in June entitled, "Outline of the Final Report of the Committee for the Promotion of Decentralization." With a view to the further promotion of decentralization, in response to the Prime Minister's inquiry, the Council will carry out studies and deliberation on the modalities of duties and business in accordance with the role sharing of central government and local governments, methods of allocating tax and financial resources, the promotion of local governments' administrative and financial reforms, and other important matters concerning regional systems requiring urgent consideration. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "I consider decentralization the top priority of administrative reforms," further noting, "this Council is limited to a period of three years, but I expect to receive your far-reaching, concrete proposals." |