The Government, Labor, Management Employment Promotion Council consisting of key leaders from all three sectors met for its 7th meeting after a one-year absence at a hotel in Tokyo on the 12th. Representing RENGO were President Washio and Secretary General Sasamori, representing the government were Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiranuma, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi and representing NIKKEIREN (Japan Federation of Employers' Associations) were Chairman Okuda, and Director-General Fukuoka. They exchanged opinions on pressing employment measures including new job creation policies and protection measures for workers that accompany the final disposal of bad debt.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda offered the opening address that set out the theme of the council by stating, "the government is attempting to force reform from a position of 'no economic recovery is possible without structural reform.' We understand that it is necessary to advance reform that is integrated with job measures. We want today's discussion to be included for consideration on policy decisions."
Both Ministers emphasized the importance of employment measures from their various standpoints saying, "current employment conditions are unpredictable and we must recognize that disposing of bad debt may very well cause things to become more severe. We have submitted the "15 Policy Proposals for the Creation of New Markets and New Jobs" to the Headquarters for Industrial Structural Reform and Employment Measures of the Cabinet. We hope to link up with labor and management in the future as well." (Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiranuma) "Structural reform is necessary to re-vitalize the Japanese economy, but we also believe it is necessary to strive to eliminate apprehension over employment." (Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi)
Following that, labor and management representatives raised issues and RENGO President Washio indicated the following:
"(1) Increase support necessary for job creation activities especially in rural localities from the viewpoint that employment measures are themselves the best economic policies.
(2) It is more important to enforce preventative measures to lessen the number of people who will fall prey to these conditions than to create a safety net when disposing of bad debt.
(3) Do not simply emphasize the pain that will accompany structural reform but create positive policies such as skill development that deal with innovation.
(4) Regarding revision of the employment system, there are fears of an increase in the number of workers with unstable employment. We are especially against revising the upper limits of contract term in set-term employment."
Meanwhile, NIKKEIREN Chairman Okuda spoke of the following:
"(1) New businesses and employment created through privately-initiated efforts are the greatest employment measures.
(2) Conduct evaluations of government policies and advance effective and flexible management of the budget .
(3) When the employment situation suddenly changes or worsens it is necessary to resolutely implement temporary policies."
During the exchange of opinions, Director-General Fukuoka emphasized that "it is necessary to make a clear and simple system for set-term employment contracts at five years etc." Secretary General Sasamori offered the view, "we should continue revision of labor legislation such as the Labor Standard Law and the Worker Dispatch Law etc. on schedule based on the progress of the last revision. Further, we want a working committee comprised of seasoned officers engaged in the fields of work that will be set up for the realization of job creation policies."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda responded stating, "our perception of the situation is no different than that of RENGO. We will make efforts to breakthrough the prevailing conditions and would appreciate your further cooperation." Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi responded to the proposal of the establishment of a working committee by saying, "we are certainly willing to do so."