Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the meeting of the National Council on Social Security System Reform at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"I've been staking my political life on the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems. It was my decision to break away from politics that continuously passes on the debt to the future generations, and to enhance social security for those in the early stages of life, together with the raise of consumption tax as a stable revenue source for social security.
Unfortunately, there are still erroneous criticisms that it is a movement to put tax increases first. However, we have been establishing four acts on pension, three acts on child-rearing, and the Basic Act on Reform, including eight acts related to social security and two acts related to tax reform. At the same time, we have also been revising relevant acts for resolving the issues of irregular employment and the promotion of employment of the elderly.
However, we are only halfway to making the social security system, including universal health insurance and universal pension, something which Japan can proudly demonstrate to the world, and nursing care insurance, which I believe many people are feeling thankful for, a sustainable system and to securely hand it down to the future generations.
I realize the compelling needs of people throughout Japan, including young mothers and fathers requiring support in their isolated child-rearing, young people who feel anxiety about working, and people worrying about pensions, medical care and nursing care in the future.
This national council is a very important council established based on the Act on Promotion of Reform under the agreement of the three political parties, for further developing discussions on the remaining issues of social security, and to pave the way for resolving them one by one.
Even though the period is legally determined as until August 21 next year, I would like to sincerely ask for lively discussions among the members so as to bring a steady feeling of assurance to the people."