Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"We have been able to mark the start of the new year as the government and the ruling parties. At the same time, we have started this new year with grave responsibilities.
We must achieve significant results rather than giving hundreds of hollow words.
Amid delayed reconstruction and prolonged deflation, Japan is now in a critical situation.
Under the recognition that this Cabinet is a "crisis breakthrough Cabinet," I am determined to undergo evaluation by the people in the course of carrying forward the work by uniting efforts with the ruling parties, and achieving results.
The most urgent issue is breaking out of deflation.
We must aim for the breaking out of deflation with the "three prongs," namely, bold monetary policy, flexible public finance policy, and a growth strategy that encourages private sector investment.
The areas stricken by the Great East Japan Earthquake are beginning their second cold winter.
Focusing on the actual site to consider the sensitivities of the people in the disaster areas, we will put our efforts into accelerating the reconstruction.
Establishment of a sustainable social security system is another urgent issue. It is also the mission of our administration to create a country in which women are dynamically engaged and in which it is easy for them to bear and raise children.
The Cabinet will work together to tackle these issues. The cooperation of the ruling parties is greatly appreciated.
The ordinary session of the Diet will be convened this month, for the period of 150 days.
Prompt passage of a supplementary budget for FY2012, a budget for FY2013, and related bills is required, which should above all be the most effective economic measures.
I would like to work in liaison with the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito, so as to strive to win the evaluation from the people that this is an administration with speed and decisiveness. I would like to ask for all of your cooperation."