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

Meeting of People Enthusiastic in Developing Regional Industries Wednesday, September 17, 2003 The Meeting of People Enthusiastic in Developing Regional Industries was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Government selected 33 individuals as the "people enthusiastic in developing regional industries" from successful cases of promoting regional industries at the end of July. The purpose of this meeting is to encourage and assist the people who are working vigorously for developing various regional industry, such as attracting enterprises and providing support for starting business and revitalizing the existing regional industries in each region. At the meeting, the people selected as the "enthusiasts" got together for the first time and exchanged opinions. At the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "There are voices, 'the Japanese economy is bad, and regional and medium and small enterprises cannot survive,' but nothing comes from pessimism. There is a saying that 'enterprises are people,' which implies that the engine for the development lies in the people regardless of it being enterprises or regions. Your enthusiasm and high motivation revitalized the region. People who seek for a new regional development would naturally be encouraged to make an effort as well by looking at enthusiasts. I feel like I have received a piece of your ardent spirits, not giving in and taking on challenges in troubled times." The Government will widely publicize the efforts and experiences of the enthusiasts in developing regional industries and support networking of these people so as to heighten the awareness of the people to follow and lead to the development of the region.