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On December 27, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the second award ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize, held at the Prime Minister's Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“To begin with, I congratulate all the winners of the awards under the prestigious Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations.
 
Progress in life sciences has significantly extended people’s lifespans, to the point where it is said that we are now in a 100-year life society. Meanwhile, however, many diseases remain unconquered, and researchers around the world are competing fiercely to discover those cures.
 
Research has no borders. The world of research is highly competitive, and one must succeed on the global stage to join the ranks of the world’s leading researchers. At the same time, it is also a world with deep significance, in which even a single excellent result can make a universal contribution to humanity.
 
Dr. Ogawa and the other award-winners in attendance leapt into this truly fierce world of research with ambition, and have achieved great results while engaging in friendly rivalry with researchers around the globe. As Prime Minister, I express my sincere respect for your efforts.
 
This award was founded last year to recognize great contributions achieved in the field of research and development (R&D) and make them widely known among the public. Seeing such a wide range of award-winning achievements, from basic research to social implementation, I am once again reminded of Japan’s fundamental strength in R&D. The Government will continue to firmly support such creative and diverse research.
 
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes for the continued success of all the award winners here today. Congratulations to all of you once again.”