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The Prime Minister in Action

Courtesy Call from Students of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

March 15, 2016

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)

  • Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)
  • Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)

[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from students of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Prime Minister's Office.

I am pleased to welcome you students of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where people from all over the world study.

Diet member Mr. Taku Otsuka, who is in attendance today, had the experience of studying at the same school as all of you.

In the Abe Cabinet, Minister of Health, Welfare and Labor Mr. Shiozaki graduated from your school, while in the Abe administration, the former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the former Minister of Justice, and the former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries were also alumni of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. They are all doing wonderful work.

I am sure that all of you too, after you graduate, will work in both the U.S. and in countries all over the world, for the benefit of each region and country as well as the entire world.

I would like you to see Japan as it is and return home. I’ve heard that you will soon be visiting Fukushima and observing the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and Hamadori.

Five years have now passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Reconstruction efforts are advancing, but they are still only half complete.

We will definitely achieve full recovery. At the same time, with regard to the agricultural and marine products of Fukushima, where you will be visiting, only safe products are provided to us consumers, and only safe products are exported. Unfortunately, however, some countries have established import restrictions. When you visit Fukushima, I would like you all to eat Fukushima’s agricultural and marine products to prove to everyone that they are safe. I myself eat products from Fukushima every day, and I am in fine health.

I hear that you will also be visiting Kyoto. Please enjoy your stay in Japan.”

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