[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Constitution of Japan coming into force, at the Parliamentary Museum.

After planting a commemorative tree, the Prime Minister said in his congratulatory address at the ceremony,

"Today, on the occasion of this ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Constitution of Japan coming into force, I would like to make a few congratulatory remarks as Prime Minister.

The Constitution of Japan came into force soon after the end of the war, and 70 years have passed since then. During this time, under this Constitution, Japan resolutely raised itself to its feet amidst the postwar ruins and extreme poverty, and through the untiring efforts of our predecessors, built a peaceful and abundant country that has made unstinting contributions to global peace and prosperity.

While feeling quietly proud of this course we have taken, we will now embark on the next 70 years. Once again I would like to express my appreciation for the hard work of our predecessors, as well as express my respect for the efforts of the Diet, as the highest organ of state power, to establish and develop the constitutional government.

During the last 70 years, the situation and circumstances have changed dramatically both in Japan and overseas. These changes include: the coming of a society with a rapidly declining birthrate and aging population and decreasing population; the economic stagnation caused by deflation after the collapse of the economic bubble, which continued for almost 20 years; the end of the Cold War; and the worsening of the security situation around Japan, including the development of nuclear weapons and missiles by North Korea. We who are living today must follow on from our predecessors and squarely confront these difficult issues, and fulfill our responsibilities toward the future. We will create a society in which everyone can find fulfilment and fully exercise their capabilities, and build an abundant and peaceful society where the people can live with peace of mind. I renew my determination to achieve such a society on this milestone year.

A Constitution describes a country's future and outlines its ideals. We who are living today are standing at a turning point of the era. It is demanded of us to create the ideals of the new era while deeply etching in our hearts the universal values that are the basic principles of the Constitution of Japan-the sovereignty of the people, respect for basic human rights, and pacifism. I believe that this is what is required in this era. I perceive that this spirit will lead to carving out a future for Japan.

I expect that today's ceremony will provide an opportunity for each person to reflect on the universal values that are the basic principles of the Constitution of Japan, as well as on Japan's future. I would like to end my congratulatory remarks by sincerely hoping that the Diet, as the highest organ of state power, will continue to further develop Japan's constitutional government. Thank you."