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[Lion Heart -- Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
(Provisional Translation)

Profile

Japanese

Many thanks for the past five years

Junichiro Koizumi here.

This will be the last issue of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine, of which we launched the Japanese version in June five years ago and the English version in March two years ago.

Ever since my inauguration, I have spent every day thinking about how I can discharge my responsibilities as Prime Minister and have devoted myself wholeheartedly to my job while keeping close to heart the Chinese philosopher Mencius' words:

"When about to place a great responsibility on a person, heaven may test one with hardship and frustrated efforts in order to toughen one's nature and shore up deficiencies."

Although holding discussions, asking for advice, and utilizing the knowledge and wisdom of experts are all essential, in the end vital decisions have to be made on our own. There will be times when we have to disregard our friendship or personal preferences and become hardhearted.

I have worked hard to the best of my abilities for the past five years as a public figure, always preparing myself to be able to promptly respond to any situation at all times.

Over the years, I have received both strict criticism and warm encouragement from many people of Japan including the readers of this e-mail magazine. I cannot tell you enough how much your words have encouraged me.

In my policy speech immediately after my appointment as Prime Minister, I stated, "The top priority that I must address is to rebuild our economy and reconstruct our society as one full of pride and confidence. Moreover, Japan must fulfill a constructive role as a member of the global community."

Thanks to the efforts of people in the private sector and across the nation to advance reforms while enduring their pain, the Japanese economy has moved back onto the recovery track, and people are regaining their confidence. With the Japan-US alliance and international coordination as the basis of foreign policy, the Government of Japan has endeavored to achieve peace and stability of the world as a responsible member of the international community.

It is precisely because I had the support and cooperation of many people that an ordinary person like myself was able to come this far.

There is a saying that goes, "People with virtue lack talent, while those with talent lack virtue." I believe myself to be a timid, plain, common sense individual.

I have given my all with a feeling that something is always protecting me and that luck is on my side.

Yesterday, Mr. Shinzo Abe was elected as the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He was the first chief editor of this e-mail magazine. He has also served as the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Koizumi Cabinet, as well as the Secretary-General and the Acting Secretary- General of the LDP. As such Mr. Abe is a trusted friend who has long been supportive of the reforms that I have advanced.

The new prime minister of Japan is scheduled to be elected on September 26. After leaving my office, I would like to assist the new prime minister as a Diet member while maintaining a low profile.

I have expressed my current sentiments in the tanka poem below:

"Many thanks to you all
For all your support
Many thanks to you all
For all your encouragement and cooperation
Words of thanks are not enough to express my gratitude"

To conclude I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the readers of this e-mail magazine and to the people of Japan for all your support and assistance over the past five years.

* The title of this column "Lion Heart" is a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform.

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