Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori proposed Thursday that the government and the three ruling coalition parties draw up an outline by the end of March for reform of the social security system, government officials said.
Mori presided over the first meeting on the proposed reform, which was held between the government, the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
In his opening address, Mori said, "We want to compile the outline reform plans to reveal the philosophy and fundamental ideas behind them by the end of March, then continue to discuss concrete policies based on the outline plans."
Mori said he is anticipating extended discussion of the reforms, which may include changes to the tax system.
At the meeting, the government was represented by Mori, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and several Cabinet members, including Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi.
The ruling coalition parties were represented by their secretaries general and policy research council chairmen.
The meeting was called on the basis of an advisory panel report submitted to Mori in October, which called for an overhaul of the nation's social security system in order to deal with the rapidly aging society.