[Provisional translation]
On March 25, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi attended the award ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Prize of the Tenth Monodzukuri Nippon (Japan’s Manufacturing) Grand Award at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister stated in her address at the award ceremony:
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the recipients of the Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award.
This ‘Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award’ celebrates individuals who have made significant achievements in the ‘monodzukuri industry,’ which has supported Japan’s industry and culture, and this time marks its milestone tenth award.
The award recipients embody the ‘strength of the bearers of Japan’s monodzukuri,’ which the country takes pride in, through qualities such as ‘know-how cultivated on the ground’ and an ‘uncompromising commitment to customer satisfaction.’
Japan’s ‘potential growth rate’ is, unfortunately, at a low level compared to other major developed countries. However, when we break down the factors behind this, ‘total factor productivity,’ which reflects the ‘strength of the bearers of Japan’s monodzukuri’ led by the award recipients, remains at a high level.
What Japan is badly lacking is capital input.
Therefore, under the Takaichi Cabinet’s growth strategy, guided by ‘responsible and proactive public finances’ and aimed at enhancing supply capacity, we will implement bold measures to increase the predictability for businesses, thereby creating an environment where all of you gathered here, as well as other businesses, can proceed with ‘bold domestic investments.’
I sincerely request that all the award recipients respond to these government initiatives, advance the social implementation of technologies through proactive investments, and contribute to resolving various risks and social challenges, while also dedicating yourselves even more to taking on the challenge of pursuing further technological innovation and nurturing the next generation who will shape the future.
In closing, I would like to express my high hopes for your further success. My sincere congratulations today.”