Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2005

The Fourth Meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Privatization of the Postal Services Wednesday, April 27, 2005 The fourth meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Privatization of the Postal Services was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Headquarters for the Promotion of Privatization of the Postal Services, which includes all Cabinet members, approved six related bills including "the bills related to the privatization of the postal services." Those bills were decided upon at the Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting that was held thereafter, and immediately submitted to the Diet. In his concluding address, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "Thanks to all of your efforts, the bills related to the privatization of the postal services were approved today by the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This allowed us to submit the bills to the Diet. The Diet deliberation will begin after the long holiday. I would like all Cabinet members to make a concerted effort to this end." In an interview held afterward, Prime Minister Koizumi said regarding the Cabinet decision of the privatization of the postal services, "I am grateful for all the efforts that the members have made. I thought it would take more time, but all the LDP executives cooperated and many Diet members exercised good judgment in the end. We have overcome one hurdle, but I believe this tough situation will continue since the deliberations on the bills will now begin."