Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the opening ceremony of the Joint General Meeting of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Unions at the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Unions on their holding of the 36th Joint General Meeting.
This is the first General Meeting to be held in two years. I hope that the meeting will provide impetus for the further reinvigoration of parliamentarian diplomacy between Japan and the Republic of Korea.
It goes without saying that our two countries are the most important neighboring countries for one another. Ever since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, our bilateral relations have grown steadily, and our two countries have developed a solid relationship, thanks to the efforts of our predecessors.
Various obstacles have arisen, precisely because Japan and the Republic of Korea are neighbors. However, in view of the environment surrounding our two countries in Northeast Asia, it is clear that Japan and the Republic of Korea share many common interests. It should not be forgotten that our bilateral relations, as they exist today, were not realized overnight. Rather, they are the product of the many years of hard work put in by the various related parties.
In particular, the members of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Unions have made great efforts to foster mutual understanding ever since their establishment in 1972. Whenever a problem arose, members scrambled to resolve the problem. Indeed, the Unions have played a considerable role as a veritable bridge between Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Two years from now, in 2015, Japan and the Republic of Korea will mark a milestone as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. To ensure that the people of the two countries are able to jointly celebrate this major historical milestone, it is vital that both countries make efforts to deepen their cooperation towards achieving peace and prosperity in the region.
Today, over 5.5 million people a year travel between our two countries, and economic interaction has made remarkable advancements. To further enhance the Japan-ROK relationship, I would like to request the continued efforts of the members of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Unions. I myself will work to always keep the door for dialogue open, and to deepen cooperation through dialogue at a variety of levels.
I wish you further success and best wishes in holding a meaningful Joint General Meeting of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Unions."