[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from participants of the High-Level Seminar on Peacebuilding, National Reconciliation and Democratization in Asia, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I am pleased to receive this courtesy call from participants of the High-Level Seminar on Peacebuilding, National Reconciliation and Democratization in Asia. Thank you very much and welcome to the Prime Minister's Office. 

The high-level seminar will be held tomorrow at United Nations University at the initiative of the Japanese Government. I would like to express my heartfelt welcome to Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan, who is chairing the seminar; as well as H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, Former President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; the Hon. Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and all of the other experts in the field of peace building from each country who will be in attendance.

Since the end of World War II, Japan has developed as a free and democratic country that guarantees fundamental human rights and respects the rule of law. We have followed the path of a peace-loving nation, and contributed to peace and development in Asia and the rest of the world. The prosperity enjoyed today by Asia is truly the result of the leadership demonstrated by leaders such as yourselves, who endeavored to build peace, achieve national reconciliation, and develop democracies, and also the result of the hard work of the individual people of each country. Nevertheless, it is also a fact that in certain regions of Asia, there are still people who live in unstable situations, exposed to danger. In these regions as well, we must continue to work thoroughly to build peace, so that we can realize a brighter future. As part of Japan’s policy of making a proactive contribution to peace, we will further strengthen initiatives for supporting the establishment and rebuilding of peace, as well as the protection of the socially vulnerable, such as women and children, in Myanmar, Mindanao in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Tomorrow’s seminar is the first ever attempt to gather government representatives, members of international organizations, intellectuals, and members of NGOs who have been involved in the areas of peacebuilding, national reconciliation and democratization in Asian countries. I would like to conclude my address and expression of gratitude to you by stating my hope that this seminar will provide a means for all of you to have a meaningful exchange of opinions, and be an opportunity to communicate your collective wisdom to the international community as we work to build even greater peace and prosperity in Asia.”