Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony held at the Prime Minister's Office to present awards to long-serving employees of the Cabinet and Cabinet Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"The situation surrounding Japan will increase in severity. Under these circumstances, everyone at the Cabinet and the Cabinet Office, which are the linchpin of administrative management, will have even more important missions to fulfill.
So that government offices are trusted by the people and are able to meet their expectations, and so that each and every person can work hard towards their dreams, it is my sincere wish that everyone will continue to make utmost efforts to carry out their duties diligently for building an even slightly brighter society."