Cabinet Secretariat [Monday, December 12, 2016]
Council on National Strategic Special Zones
During the meeting, debate took place on certifying the special zone plan, additional items for regulatory reform related to priority fields and issues, and other matters.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“During today’s meeting, we approved the additions of the employment of foreign personnel in agriculture and the acceptance of children up to the age of five at small-scale daycares, to the Special Zones policy list.
Mr. Yuji Kuroiwa, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, has realized many projects up to this point based on the list of new policies. Today, he proposed a new, concrete policy to alleviate the shortage of children’s nurses.
This Council will continue to listen to the opinions of passionate people from municipalities and businesses, and we will continue to incorporate many regulatory reforms into bills planned to be submitted during the next ordinary Diet session.
From Ms. Tomoko Namba, Chairman of the Board and Founder of DeNA Co., Ltd., we heard about initiatives and issues toward the realization of fully autonomous driving in the Special Zones.
This again confirmed that Japanese innovation can help to reduce the burdens placed on drivers, alleviate the shortage of personnel in the regions, and reduce the number of road accidents involving elderly drivers.
We will further develop the National Strategic Special Zones, and immediately consider initiatives to dramatically simplify procedures for verification tests of near-future technology such as autonomous cars and drones, such that tests can be conducted in smoother and speedier ways while also maintaining safety.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Thursday, December 15, 2016]
Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the eleventh meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.
At the meeting, there was discussion regarding the revision of the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“We will spread Abenomics to every corner of Japan, and raise the average income in local economies. We will develop brands out of tourism resources and agricultural, forestry and fishery products that each region is proud of. We will revitalize unused assets such as empty shops and old, traditional Japanese-style homes, and attract new companies and people. Furthermore, we will foster core businesses that have many clients and drive local economies. We will provide focused assistance to such local government initiatives.
Young people tend to congregate in Tokyo, but we will create and strengthen a flow of these people to the regions. In particular, we will provide support so that young people can find work in the regions, such as by supporting the development of curricula at regional universities that can foster the types of human resources that local companies seek, and collating and disseminating information to enable more students to participate in internships in local companies. In addition, in regard to the issue of how to change the tendency of young people to congregate in Tokyo from the time they enter university there, we will determine our policy direction by next summer. I would like Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan Yamamoto and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Matsuno to work together to consider these issues.
I know that a wide range of views have been expressed today and we will take them into account as we revise the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy within this month.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Tuesday, December 13, 2016]
Ceremony to Commend Leading Companies Where Women Shine
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a ceremony to Commend Leading Companies Where Women Shine, at the Prime Minister's Office.
In his opening address, the Prime Minister made the following remarks,
“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on the conferment today of the Awards to Commend Leading Companies Where Women Shine.
All of the recipients have been taking the initiative on working for active participation by women and information disclosure, and are all truly top leaders in this area.
I would like to express my deep respect for the hard work that everyone here has done to implement measures such as introducing tele-working and flexible shift work; creating community-centered networks that involve municipalities and local companies to foster female executive candidates; establishing goals for the rate of men who take childcare leave and encouraging men to take this leave; and disclosing information on companies’ situations regarding women’s promotions, overtime hours, rates of taking leave, and other matters, for investors, those looking for work, and consumers.
This year marks the third time that these awards have been presented. The number of recommended companies has doubled compared to the first year. The companies that have received the awards have produced a wide range of results, such as achieving record net profits, and increased opportunities to promote themselves in the media. These are all truly excellent results.
Taking the opportunity of these awards today, I expect that many companies will follow in your footsteps and further accelerate the movement to create a society in which all women shine.
I would like to conclude my congratulatory remarks by requesting your further cooperation and contributions going forward. Congratulations.”
