Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the meeting of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Those attending the meeting on the national government side were: Mr. Katsuya Okada, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Government Revitalization and Minister for Total Reform of Social Security and Tax; Mr. Tatsuo Kawabata, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Minister of State for Promotion of Local Sovereignty; Mr. Motohisa Furukawa, Minister for National Policy; Ms. Yoko Komiyama, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; Mr. Fumihiko Igarashi, Senior Vice Minister of Finance; and Mr. Katsuhiko  Yokomitsu, Senior Vice Minister of Environment. On the regional government side were representatives of six regional organizations. Discussion took place on the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems, wide-area disposal of disaster waste, and the amendment of the Local Autonomy Act.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address, "A year is about to pass since the legislation of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments. The government wishes to continuously utilize the Forum for discussing national policies that have an influence on local autonomy.
As for the first item on the agenda, which is the 'comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems,' a Cabinet decision was made and the bill was submitted on March 30. The government will make explanations to the regional residents about this bill and would like to ask for your understanding and cooperation toward the realization of the reform.
The second item is the 'wide-area disposal of disaster waste.' Under the name of myself and Mr. Goshi Hosono, Minister of Environment, the document of request was submitted to local governments last month. We are already receiving positive answers from some local governments. Today, I would like to ask for your cooperation once more to further facilitate wide-area disposal, for the recovery and reconstruction of disaster-stricken regions.
As for the third item, the 'amendment of the Local Autonomy Act,' I would like to ask your opinions based on the reality of the actual site before the discussion on the bill in the Diet.
Although within a limited amount of time, I would like to ask for a frank exchange of opinions on these three items."