[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from representatives of the Boy Scouts who received the Fuji Award.

The Prime Minister said in his words of encouragement,

“Congratulations to all the recipients of the Fuji Award. Boy Scout activities are wonderful because they nurture morals and a sense of justice through voluntary service and activities in the natural environment.

It is precisely at this time of your lives that young people and children learn properly about what morals are and why they are necessary, and at the same time gain a sense of justice through engagement in voluntary activities. I believe that it is these kinds of activities that are needed today.

The reason you have received the Fuji Award is because your daily efforts and accumulated activities have been duly recognized. I would like you to continue to work hard as Fuji Award recipients and act as true role models to your juniors.

As was just noted, in July and August of this year, the 23rd World Scout Jamboree 2015 is scheduled to take place in Kirara-hama in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Back in 2006-7 when Yamaguchi Prefecture was considering its candidacy as host of the Jamboree, I was also serving as Prime Minister. I consulted with Mr. Ichiro Aisawa and it was decided that Kirara-hama would become a candidate to host the event. You all engaged in tremendous efforts to ensure that Kirara-hama would be selected as the host city for the Jamboree and now this year many Boy Scouts will be coming to Japan from around the world. I hope that you will show the visiting Boy Scouts the spirit of Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) and a Japanese spirit. I also hope that you will all make great efforts to help with the holding of the World Scout Jamboree itself.

I would like to end my words of congratulations and encouragement with the hope that Boy Scout activities will further develop, and that all of you who have received the Fuji Award will capitalize on this opportunity and continue your hard work. Congratulations to you all.”