Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held the ninth meeting of the Consumer Policy Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the partial revision of the Consumer Basic Plan.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "Ensuring the safety and assurance of consumers is the precondition for recovery of individual consumption, which accounts for about 60% of GDP, and is also essential for revitalizing Japan.
Building a society wherein consumers can live with a sense of assurance is one of the top prioritized issues for the government. The Consumer Basic Plan decided today serves as a guideline for the government to gather efforts to strongly promote the consumer policy. The following represent prioritized issues in the plan:.

1. Strengthening of risk communication related to food and radiation
2. Prevention of consumer troubles involving the elderly

In this context, I would like to ask relevant ministers to cooperate with the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety taking the lead, and newly compile an action plan for the assurance of consumers, as specific countermeasures to these issues. In addition, I would like to ask for secure support to be given to the local consumer administration, which actually adresses the specific problems."