[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended “GRACE,” an Exhibition to Showcase the Fashion and Products of Women from Myanmar, held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I am very pleased to be able to attend this exhibition together with President Thein Sein, which brings together traditional and modern Myanmar culture.

I have already met with the President many times. We have cooperated mainly in industrial areas and on a variety of infrastructure projects. Along with the rapid progress of development in urban centers, there is the hope that we can also strike a balance with development in the regions. We received a request to that effect from the Government of Myanmar, and thus the Japanese Government has compiled the “Vision for Industrial Development in Myanmar” report.

The proposal from Japan is that we work to realize a positive cycle of urban and regional development. The first initiative for that is today’s exhibition.

The main players for this are the women of Myanmar and the traditions of each region. Myanmar has many attractive fashion materials and local products that are based in the country’s diverse traditions, cultures, and natural features. I believe the economy and industry of Myanmar would grow tremendously if we could expertly discover such products and bring them to customers around the world.

Together with President Thein Sein, my wife Akie, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Miyazawa, I have just watched a short yet fantastic fashion show. I was truly struck by the spectacular designs and beautiful materials of Myanmar.

I could feel great potential in the very close attention given to the show by the people from the fashion world who joined us here today.

Both my wife and I were once again reminded of how much we would like to continue supporting the culture, society, and economic development of Myanmar.

I want to express my heartfelt expectations for the further development of Myanmar’s economy and culture.”