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On June 4, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister's Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“Circumstances permitting, I will visit Washington D.C. from June 6, and hold a Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Shortly before the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, together with President Trump, I hope to exchange the latest information and coordinate the direction of our future policies towards North Korea.
 
We will promote close coordination between Japan and the U.S. to ensure that the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting serves as an opportunity to make progress on the various outstanding issues of concern, such as the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues.
 
In particular, concerning the abduction issue, which is of the highest priority, I want to reaffirm that Japan and the United States will continue to work closely together to resolve this issue towards the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting.
 
Following my visit to Washington D.C., I will visit Canada. On June 8 and June 9, I will attend the G7 Summit to be held in Charlevoix, Quebec. In light of the emergence of protectionist and isolationist sentiments and concerns over growing uncertainty surrounding the global economy and trade, I hope to hold frank discussions among the G7 leaders on this subject. Japan intends to lead efforts to sustain and strengthen the system of free and fair trade, and create rules that are win-win for the entire global economy.
 
With respect to the North Korean issues, I hope to issue a strong statement as the G7 leaders to support the success of the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, confirming our basic directions with President Trump, who is to hold the summit meeting afterwards.
 
In the Diet, there continue to be deliberations on important bills such as the Bill to Ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Draft Bill on Development of Specified Complex Tourist Facilities Areas (Draft IR Development Bill).
 
Just a moment ago, at the introduction as well as questions and answers on the work style reform bills, I have just explained point by point the significance of the reforms and how we will respond to the concerns of the public.
 
In particular, I would like to emphasize once again that these reforms will realize a society in which people can choose from a variety of work styles suited to their individual circumstances, for example, by eliminating the irrational gaps in the treatment of permanent and temporary workers, and by correcting the practice of working long hours, and that these are reforms undertaken from the perspective of working people.
 
I hope to enact as many of these bills as possible before the end of the current Diet session and advance the relevant measures. In this regard, I would like to ask for the cooperation of the ruling parties. The Government will continue to strive to make careful explanations.
 
Due to the series of issues concerning government documents, the public’s confidence in the Government has been shaken. I feel deeply responsible as the head of the Government. Based on an investigation and revelation of the facts, we will identify all problems and implement effective measures, including review of organizations and systems, pursuing what needs to be done to improve the mindset of individual civil servants, while also sufficiently taking into consideration the recommendations we received from the ruling parties working group on April 27.
 
Last week, I received valuable proposals from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, as well as joint proposals from both parties, toward the compilation of the Basic Policy and the Investments for the Future Strategy.
 
I hope to advance this compilation work in close coordination with the ruling parties, and I ask for your kind cooperation.”