Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted an Iftar with the Islamic Diplomatic Corps in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"I believe it can be said that the Islamic culture and the Japanese culture have a similarity, which is that both cultures make efforts to coordinate with others in a spirit of tolerance.
Since assuming the office of Prime Minister at the end of last year, my visits to the Islamic countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia have reaffirmed the unbroken kizuna which has been established between Japan and Islamic countries. In the near future, I hope to once again visit Islamic countries and deepen our friendships. 
Today, we are joined by Sekitori sumo wrestler Osunaarashi, the only person among us who has appeared here wearing Japan's traditional Haori coat and Hakama skirt-trousers. As the first Sekitori from an Islamic country, Osunaarashi, while continuing to fast during Ramadan in compliance with the teachings of Islam - and fasting means that he does not drink even water, and so, certainly not easy - admirably had more wins than losses in the recent tournament of the Japanese national sport of sumo. Osunaarashi is indeed a bridge between Japan and the Islamic world.
Today, the embassies of various Islamic countries have brought food that is a specialty of their countries.
I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing that today's Iftar will serve as a good opportunity to further develop the friendly and cooperative ties between Japan and the Islamic world."