Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Jiji Press New Year Party held in Tokyo.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“There are many things that we must accomplish from now on. I want to work with a real sense of urgency – humbly, carefully, thoroughly, but with resolution and determination when the time comes to make decisions.
I want to make this year a year in which Japan communicates many things to the world.
Yesterday, at the New Year party jointly hosted by the Three Economic Associations, we fostered the kind of atmosphere such that when I asked the group to raise wages in April of this year, they gave a positive response. If that happens, I will be able to make the declaration that we are no longer experiencing deflation.
With the world’s eyes on us, I believe that we will be able to thoroughly rebuild the economy, making it strong, and revitalizing Japan as a country that contributes to the world.”