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On January 15, 2019, 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,
 
“This year will be the final year of the Heisei era. At the same time, it will be the year of the dawn of a new era. With the cooperation of the ruling parties, I am determined to make a strong start as we head into the era beyond the Heisei era. I would like to ask for your support to this end.
 
Based on that point, we will do all we can to manage the economy in such a way as to ensure that the economic recovery trend continues even after the increase in the consumption tax rate planned for October. Furthermore, we will reform our social security system to become one in which all generations, from the working generation to the elderly, can enjoy peace of mind. I want to make this the first year of a social security system oriented to all generations.
 
With respect to diplomacy, we will advance negotiations on a peace treaty between Japan and Russia, elevate relations between Japan and China to a new stage, and take every opportunity towards the resolution of the abductions issue. I want this year to be one in which we advance a total reassessment of Japan’s postwar diplomacy.
 
In the forthcoming ordinary session of the Diet, we will aim for the swift passage of the second supplementary budget and the budget for the following fiscal year in order to ensure that the economic recovery remains firmly on track. At the same time, we will also work to ensure the passage of a series of important bills, including those for making early childhood education free from this coming October and for making higher education free for children for whom such assistance is truly necessary from April 2020.
 
I intend to engage in solid policy debate and make this Diet one that will open up a new tomorrow for Japan. I ask for the cooperation of the ruling parties in this endeavor.
 
This year, His Majesty the Emperor will abdicate on April 30 and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince will accede to the Imperial Throne on May 1. There will be a change of the era name. Up until now, the name of the new era has been decided and announced following the change of the era. This time, an announcement will be made on April 1 ahead of the change, with a view to minimizing the impact on the citizens’ lives.
 
The Government will make all-out efforts to prepare for the historic succession to the Imperial Throne so that all people can celebrate this occasion. I would like to ask for your cooperation in these efforts.
From January 21 to 24, I will visit Russia and Davos, Switzerland. With President Putin, we were in complete agreement at our summit meeting in Singapore last November to bring to an end issues that have remained unresolved for more than 70 years since the war ended, and not leave them to the next generation. I will engage in frank discussions with President Putin with a view to making as much progress as possible in the negotiations.
 
At Davos, I will communicate with the world Japan’s views on the sustainable growth of the global economy, the promotion of free trade, and global issues such as climate change, as the Chair of the G20 (the G20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy).
 
It is truly regrettable that the Monthly Labour Survey has been conducted in an appropriate manner for many years and resulted in the loss of public trust in government statistics. I take this issue very seriously. We will implement all the necessary measures to prevent this case from inflicting losses to the people, including impacts to the provision of unemployment benefits.
 
At this turning point in our history, the Government and ruling parties are working in unity to face various challenges at home and overseas squarely and pave the way to a new era. I would like to make this such a year and ask for your continued cooperation.”