Central Meeting of the National Traffic Safety Campaign

On January 15, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba attended the 65th Central Meeting of the National Traffic Safety Campaign held in Tokyo in the gracious presence of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino.

After delivering an address, the Prime Minister presented awards to the top winners of the contest for the yearlong slogan for traffic safety and the family essay contest on traffic safety.

The Prime Minister said in his address:

“On behalf of the Government, I would like to offer my remarks on the occasion of the holding of the 65th Central Meeting of the National Traffic Safety Campaign here today.

I express my heartfelt respect for all those who have always been making considerable efforts toward traffic safety.

In recent years, the annual number of deaths from traffic accidents has hovered in the range of 2,000 to 3,000, marking a decrease to approximately one-sixth of its peak in 1970.

This is the result of traffic safety campaigns conducted through the collaboration of people from all walks of life, including awareness-raising and educational activities in local communities and workplaces as well as the dissemination of technologies conducive to accident prevention and damage mitigation. I would like to extend my deep gratitude for your efforts.

In particular, I reiterate my respect for all those who receive the prestigious awards today for your great achievements thus far or wonderful slogans and essays.

In traffic accidents, every one of us can suddenly become either a perpetrator or a victim. A safe and secure society free from unfortunate accidents is a wish of the entire nation, and in order to make it a reality, it is important for the Government, relevant organizations, local communities, workplaces, and households to work together to advance traffic safety initiatives.

The Government, for its part, will continue to join hands with you in implementing various measures, such as actively utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, developing road traffic environments, and raising awareness on traffic safety, toward the realization of the ‘world’s safest road traffic.’ We will also advance discussions on reviewing penalties, with a view to dealing with dangerous driving of automobiles even more appropriately.

I request all of you gathered here today to continue to demonstrate your leadership in traffic safety campaigns in your local communities and workplaces, while passing on your abundant experience and outstanding insights to help ensure future traffic safety.

Let me conclude my remarks by wishing your continued good health and success.”