Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi instructed his Cabinet ministers Friday to work out measures that will double people's living, business and recreational space within five years, and create some 500,000 new jobs through economic structural reform within the next two years.
During a regular Cabinet meeting, the prime minister presented the basic concept to be incorporated into the measures and called for concrete policy proposals, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka told a news conference.
Funds to implement the measures will be taken from 4 trillion yen that has been set aside in special budgetary brackets for specific use over the 15-month fiscal period starting in January, Nonaka said.
To improve people's living standards, the basic concept calls for creating an environment that is kinder to the aged, safer, and more comfortable for business, shopping and other activities. In creating new jobs, it calls for deregulation in such fields as medical care, distribution, biotechnology, aerospace, and housing.