Friday, October 10, 2008

The Prime Minister Honors Contributors to the Building of Safe and Reassuring Communities

Prime Minister Taro Aso hosted a ceremony to commend contributors to the building of safe and reassuring communities at the Prime Minister's Office.

The government designates October 11 as the Day of Building Safe and Reassuring Communities, with the aim to realize a society resistant to crime by promoting and enhancing initiatives nationwide for building safe and reassuring communities, and thereby, deepen people's awareness and understanding.

This ceremony is held to acknowledge and praise the people or groups that have made significant contributions to the promotion of building safe and reassuring communities. The ceremony is thereby aimed at promoting excellent activities at large. This year ten groups received the awards.

In his address, Prime Minister Aso said, "Recently, we have seen heartbreaking incidents, including the ones involving children, in many communities around the nation. I am sure that the very existence of volunteer activities, like the ones you are carrying out, are a source of great reassurance for people from communities. I sincerely hope that you continue your activities so that other communities, too, will enjoy the positive effects of such activities."

In response, a representative of the awarded groups expressed gratitude on their behalf, saying, "We promise that we will further endeavor to ensure the safety of our communities."