Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� October, 2002

Prime Minister Attends Meeting of Prefectural Governors Tuesday, October 8, 2002 The annual government-sponsored meeting of the nation's prefectural governors was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in attendance. At the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi called for understanding and cooperation for reform toward independence in local finances and strengthening the foundations of local government, stating, "Structural reform is being advanced under the policy that all that can be done in the regional communities should be left in their hands. Issues of financial resources, local allocation taxes and subsidies should not be discussed separately. It is desirable for the Central Government to support the development of unique local communities." Moreover, regarding special zones for structural reform, the Prime Minister indicated his intention to devote his efforts toward realizing such special zones, stating, "the significance of realizing special zones for structural reform is that it will allow deregulation to proceed in a feasible direction. So many proposals have been made from local governments and private enterprises. We must take up their initiatives as much as possible and bring about results through regulatory reform."