[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the award ceremonies for the Prime Minister's Commendation for Efforts Toward the Formation of a Gender-Equal Society, the Women’s Challenge Grand Prize and the Slogan Contest, held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

In his address, the Prime Minister said,

“I would like to make a few remarks on the occasion of the award ceremony for the Commendation for Efforts Toward the Formation of a Gender-Equal Society. 

The Abe Cabinet is implementing a range of initiatives that aim to create a society in which all women shine, and have confidence and pride in their chosen way of life. 

This year marks 20 years since the fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, as well as 30 years since the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The fact that Japan has been able to make steady progress in this area is the result of all of your hard work in management, academic, regional, and other fields over many years, and I extend my profound respect to you.

Also, as regards the Women’s Challenge Grand Prize, I understand that the winners of the prize are advancing many wonderful initiatives that go beyond existing frameworks, including the utilization of IT in ideas such as the development of applications related to pregnancy and child-rearing, the development of networks of female researchers in scientific fields, and agricultural reforms that leverage the viewpoints of women. 

I believe the active role of women brings diverse viewpoints to both companies and regions, and comprise an essential element in revitalizing the economy and creating a society in which it is pleasant to live.  

I would like to close my remarks by expressing my hope for the ever greater success of all of the recipients of the awards, in your respective fields and regions.”