Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held the seventh meeting of the Employment Strategy Dialogue at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the establishment of the Employment Strategy for Young People and the holding of the meetings of the Working Group.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "I believe the employment environment surrounding young people unfortunately is still a dire situation.
Naturally, it is important that the Government makes sure that economic growth takes place if employment opportunities are to be generated continuously in which young people can work actively.
I believe measures are also still needed which link schools and workplaces. In order to establish the Employment Strategy for Young People by the middle of this year, I would like the Employment Strategy Dialogue to conduct an in-depth examination of the following three items in particular.
The first item is 'ensuring equal opportunities.' I would like to get rid of poverty succession, in which the economic circumstances of parents lead to disparities during job hunting. I would like to examine the ways by which supports for the young people with will and skills can be strengthened through this Dialogue, while thoroughly keeping an eye out also on those who have dropped out of school and those who have not yet received a job offer.
The second item is 'enhancement of career education.' I believe there is much room for creativity to once again shift students' interest from large enterprises to small- and medium-sized enterprises that are willing to hire. I would like this Dialogue to consider specific measures that link together companies and universities.
The third item is 'support for young peoples' career advancement.' Even if young people find employment, I believe those who remain as irregular workers are unable to feel a sense of personal growth and find it difficult to view their work as something worth living for. Therefore, I would like this Dialogue to consider support measures that will allow more young people to shift from irregular to regular employment.
I ask that the Working Group established today carries out a general review of existing measures as well as compile effective specific measures to light up the future of young people."