[Provisional Translation]

On May 16, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Hyogo Prefecture and Wakayama Prefecture.

First, the Prime Minister offered flowers at the Monument of Victims and Reconstruction in Higashi Yuenchi Park, and then he visited the Lights of Hope Monument.
Following that, the Prime Minister visited a company that manufactures women’s shoes in Kobe, where he heard explanations on reconstruction after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, leather binding work, and other matters.
Next, the Prime Minister visited the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, where he observed dioramas on the city directly after the disaster, the road to reconstruction, and other themes, and then exchanged views with survivors who share their experiences at the Institution.
Following that, the Prime Minister met with female entrepreneurs at a hotel in Kobe. Afterwards, he travelled to the container terminals in Kobe, where he observed harbor facilities from the docks.
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Abe visited the Koyasan Shingon Sect Main Temple Kongobu-ji in Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, where he met with members of the temple. Lastly, the Prime Minister visited Ekoin Temple where he exchanged views with tourists from overseas and members of groups of licensed guide-interpreters.

After his visit, the Prime Minister stated,
“On this landmark year, marking 20 years since the Great Hanshin Earthquake, I visited Kobe and again expressed my heartfelt condolences to those affected by the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
I spoke with survivors who share their experiences with others. I heard from them about the importance of continuing to share with others the devastation at that time and what they experienced as they struggled to protect their lives. It made me think of the many people who lost their lives and the need to continue to thoroughly make the most of the precious experiences from that time.
Additionally, I spoke with managers who have done splendid work to achieve reconstruction with a spirit of craftsmanship. I heard and learned about how one company has made use of the power of women, and worked to raise productivity while enhancing profits and utilizing their experiences dealing with disaster. I was also able to talk with female managers.

Furthermore, I visited Koyasan. I was able to see for myself how the profound beauty and landscape of this world heritage site, Koyasan, attracts so many people from around the world.
Many people from Europe, the United States, and Asia visit this area. I will work hard to ensure that these visits by so many people to Japan are not a temporary thing, but that they in fact continue to increase even further. To that end, I will instruct the relevant ministers to create a thorough 2015 Action Program toward the Realization of Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country that includes, for example, enhancing goals to increase the number of tax-free shops located in the regions.”

In addition, in response to questions from journalists, the Prime Minister said,
“My grandfather spent a little over 1,240 days in office. Including my first administration, this week, I will catch up to that figure.
Koyasan, meanwhile, has traditions stretching back 1,200 years. Compared to that, I have spent only a brief time in office. Still, since the change in government, every day I have been focused on advancing policies in order to restore Japan, exit deflation, and create robust economic growth.
My grandfather accomplished many things, including the revision of the Security Treaty, the pension system, and the minimum wage system.
Rather than the question of how many days I have been in office, I believe that what matters is whether I am thoroughly fulfilling the promises I made to the public. I wish to continue to move forward with humility and rigor.

Additionally, as for the Constitution, above all, I think it is important that public debate is heightened, and that such heightened debate spreads across the country. I hope that the other members of the Liberal Democratic Party will also work passionately to develop a public movement related to this.”