Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� April, 2003

The Members of the Examination Committee for Constructing Networks to Support Women's Challenges Pay a Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Monday, April 21, 2003 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call by the expert members of the Examination Committee for Constructing Networks to Support Women's Challenges under the Council for Gender Equality at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Council for Gender Equality compiled supportive measures on April 8 for women to undertake challenges in various areas, utilizing their new ideas and diverse abilities. The expert members paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Koizumi as the Examination Committee for Constructing Networks to Support Women's Challenges, which was established upon compilation of this report, held its first meeting that day. At the meeting, Ms. Setsuko Kitamura, Chair of the Examination Committee for Constructing Networks to Support Women's Challenges, said, "Since female potential is high, it will become big energy if opportunities which can play an active role are given. I would surely like to realize an information network at the national level." In response, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Men are increasingly playing an active role in the field of employment that used to be primarily undertaken by women and vice versa. Men will also become energetic, stimulating mutually, if women become energetic. The zero wait listed children strategy for nurseries that aims to assist the balance between work and childcare is having an impact on society."