## (Basic Direction of Labour Policy in the Future)

It is important to develop a society in which each worker is motivated to work and can demonstrate their ability. For the economy to sustain development in a labour-restricted era, it is vital that the healthy development of and self-reliance among young people, who are responsible for the next generation, are promoted. In order to achieve this goal, public interest must be raised and proper measures should be taken. As indicated by the high levels of willingness to work among elderly workers, the Law for the Stabilization of Employment of the Aged should be implemented in a quick and efficient manner. In addition, a dynamic aged society must be built in which the elderly can keep on working for as long as they have the will and the ability to do so, thus drawing on their full work potential. Female workers, once they have children, often have to leave work; resulting in less systemized alternatives for reemployment. Thus, it is critical to facilitate the employment of female workers who are willing to work by promoting equal employment opportunities for both sexes, introducing flexible work hours at companies when childcare is required, launching the shorter-hour system, and improving and giving more equal treatment to part-time workers. Furthermore, it is expected that there will be a need to reconsider the conventional working system, facilitate a work-life balance, and expand the alternatives in terms of multiple workstyles for both male and female workers, resulting in the implementation of "Multiple Work Sharing" in society as a whole, so that each person can achieve the lifestyle they want. With respect to disabled people, their need for work should be tackled carefully, and an organic linkage between employment and welfare policies must be ensured. The vocational self-reliance of the disabled should be promoted by expanding employment opportunities for these people so that they can get a job in the community and become independent.

## (Basic Policy Stance on the Acceptance of Foreign Workers)

It is not appropriate to consider using foreign workers to cope with labour shortages but it is important to develop an employment environment in which domestic workers can take an active part. It is possible to alleviate the decline in the labour force by raising the participation of the young, elderly, and female workers in the labour market. In addition, technical advances can help offset the impact of the decline in the labour force. While it is important to promote the acceptance of foreign workers in both the professional and technological fields, the impact of such acceptance on the Japanese labour market must be fully studied. The acceptance of foreign workers is a critical national policy issue, involving not just the labour policy, but must also be considered from various directions. This will require reaching a national consensus on social security, education, public security, industrial competitiveness, as well as regional measures. Therefore, in-depth discussion is required in order to reflect the views of all sectors of the Japanese society from a long-term perspective.

## (Vitalization of Economic Activities Based on an Affluent Regional Society)

The affluence of a society is supported by the expansion of physical wealth such as economic growth, but psychological fulfillment of each member of society also supports an affluent society. The changes in public awareness are also reflected in actual social activities. For example, the number of NPOs is increasing along with an increased awareness among the public of social contribution. Those who live in the suburban towns of the metropolitan areas have a higher level of interest in NPO activities, which is notable in terms of building a local community in the dormitory towns (Figure 30). While community businesses, which profit from public welfare business in regional societies are drawing attention (Table 31), the number of those who were not brought up on farm families start farming, are also creating interest as they return to the economic development projects in the regions (Table 32).