[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Award Ceremony in Relation to the Formation of a Gender-Equal Society, held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

After presenting the awards, the Prime Minister said,

“I would like to state my sincere congratulations to the recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation for Efforts Toward the Formation of a Gender-Equal Society, the Women’s Challenge Grand Prize, and the Gender Equality Week Slogan Contest.

The recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation for Efforts Toward the Formation of a Gender-Equal Society have exerted efforts toward the promotion of gender equality in a large number of fields over many years. In the regions, you have expanded the areas in which woman can actively take part in fields including the machine parts and tooling industries, the JA Group, sports, and research activities. You have provided consultations for victims of spousal violence, given them shelter, and supported their recovery. You have also participated in national and regional government policy-making. I would like to express my deep respect for your activities.

I look forward to the continued activities of the recipients of the Women’s Challenge Grand Prize, as role models and supporters for a large number of women.

In slightly more than four years, the number of women employed has increased by 1.5 million. The current situation is that Japan’s economy is simply not viable without the participation of women.

I would like to conclude my remarks by sincerely requesting that all the recipients of today’s awards exert even greater efforts in their respective fields and regions, toward creating a society in which women can participate to their hearts’ content.

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations.”