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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the second meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, there was discussion on “the draft basic policy for the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” “host town promotions (name changes and so on)” and “the state of preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019.”

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said in his address,

“A moment ago, we approved the basic policy of the Government for preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Based on this policy, we need to accelerate preparations so that we can realize Olympic and Paralympic Games in which people from around the world can share their dreams and hopes through the participation of the entire public, and create a legacy that the next generation can be proud of.

Security is crucial for that. Recent tragic terrorist attacks, including those in Paris and Ankara, and that on a Russian passenger plane, have shocked the world.

The Government as a whole must ensure utmost preparation of counterterrorism measures and cyber security measures in order to ensure the safety and security of the athletes, spectators, and Japanese public.

With regard to the Paralympic Games in 2020, we will aim to achieve the highest ever number of participating countries and use the impetus of these Games to create a society of coexistence through the use of universal design.

Furthermore, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will serve as ‘Recovery Olympics’ that will support the continued reconstruction of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. As we move towards 2020, we will also promote the diverse charms of Japanese culture domestically and internationally.

Additionally, the Games will also lend momentum to the launch of initiatives to promote health. As we prepare for the Games, we will strengthen measures to tackle passive smoking.
We must also thoroughly advance preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2019.

I request that all the relevant ministers exert further efforts and work in close collaboration with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and relevant municipalities, so as to ensure the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games through nationwide collaboration.”