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

The First Meeting of the Headquarters for Promotion of the Cultivation of Youth Wednesday, June 11, 2003 The first meeting of the Headquarters for Promotion of the Cultivation of Youth was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Headquarters for Promotion of the Cultivation of Youth was established inside the Cabinet for the purpose of ensuring close contact among the relevant government agencies and comprehensively and effectively advancing measures for the cultivation of youth who will lead the next generation. In the opening remarks, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "We have a word, kodakara, or 'a child is a treasure,' and youths are the treasures who will lead the next generation." Prime Minister Koizumi mentioned Mr. Roh, Moo Hyun, the President of the Republic of Korea who visited Japan the other day had quoted an old saying, "Children grow up looking at their parents' backs," and added, "The sound upbringing of our youth actually depends on adults. I would ask each ministry and agency to work cooperatively to develop an environment where children can soundly grow up. The Headquarters for Promotion of the Cultivation of Youth is scheduled to formulate the "Guidelines for Measures on the Cultivation of Youth" this summer that indicates the basic principles and a mid- to long-term vision for cultivating youth.