[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a meeting of a group for discussions with people who support those trying to make a fresh start, at the Prime Minister's Office.

After participating in an exchange of views, the Prime Minister made the following remarks,

“Endeavoring to make a fresh start in life after having made a mistake, and to not repeat that mistake, is not only good for the individuals involved themselves, but also for society as a whole.

Today, all you who have been closely supporting individuals who have made a mistake have come here to the Prime Minister's Office, and we held discussions. I am very impressed by the hard work of everyone on the ground, and by your strong wishes to help individuals who have made a mistake somehow manage to make a fresh start. I would like to once again express my respect for your tireless efforts.

Also, as mentioned by Ms. Takahashi and Ms. Shigeoka, two young people who will surely make major contributions to the country's future, to prevent repeated offending, it is important to integrate those who have made a mistake into society as a whole, and to provide support for their making a fresh start.

Last year, I visited a prison and a rehabilitative care facility, and experienced for myself the importance of long-term measures in this field, including post-release measures. The government will steadily and strongly advance a consistent program to prevent repeated offending, from prisons to rehabilitative care facilities and post-release measures, and will collaborate with medical, healthcare, and welfare organs to implement measures to prevent repeated offending, with the public and private sectors working as one.

In advancing these kinds of measures, I believe that the further understanding and cooperation of the people is needed.

There tends to be resistance and prejudice in regard to individuals who have made a mistake. I realize that overcoming this is no simple matter, but all of you, as pioneers in your respective positions and circumstances, are working hard to achieve this. We will support such fresh starts, and aim to expand, even if just by a little, existing circles of support through obtaining the understanding of many people.

I would like to conclude my remarks by requesting your continued cooperation in the future. Thank you.”

After his remarks, the Prime Minister gave a message in relation to the advancement of the 66th Meeting of the “Movement to Make Society Brighter,” which seeks the cooperation of the people to prevent crime and delinquency, and support for achieving a fresh start for those who have made a mistake.