Top �� Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister

(Provisional Translation) Statement by Prime Minister Koizumi November 19, 2003 Today, I once again have been given the honor of bearing the heavy responsibilities of Prime Minister of Japan. Solemnly accepting the mandate given by the people of Japan in the general election, I will maintain the policies of "without reform there will be no growth," "leave to the private sector what it can do" and "leave to the localities what they can do," and in a coalition administration with the New Komeito, I will continue to promote structural reform with a Cabinet unchanged from the previous. I will vigorously make efforts to realize the reforms I have pledged to the people of Japan; overcoming deflation and realizing economic revitalization; securing people's "safety" and "reassurance" in future life; building a foundation for future development; and thoroughly implementing administrative and fiscal reform. In addition to steadily working towards the realization of immediate important challenges, namely pension reform, a "reform package of three issues" towards decentralization, and privatization of the four highway public corporations, I will promote deliberations concerning the proposal to privatize postal services towards next autumn. With regard to Iraq, while carefully monitoring the situation on the ground, I will advance humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. I will expend all efforts towards the resolution of the abduction issue and security issues concerning North Korea and for the fight to prevent and eradicate terrorism. Now that the buds of reform are now coming to be seen, I will continue to promote reform with firm resolve. In this, from my heart I ask for the understanding and cooperation of the people of Japan.