• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting and other events with H.E. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House.

First, the two leaders received a salute and attended a ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a meeting, followed by a signing ceremony and a joint press announcement.

Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner banquet where, in his address, he made the following remarks.

“I am delighted that H.E. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, who for many years has been an indomitable leader of democratization, is now visiting Japan as a leader of the Government of Myanmar.

This year Myanmar experienced a major political shift that will leave its mark on history. State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said that “an era of determined hope” has come. I would like Japan to continue to be a trusted partner of Myanmar in this era of hope, and also its strongest supporter.

In our meeting earlier, we had a fulfilling exchange of views. This evening, I would like you all to relax and enjoy to your heart’s content the Japanese cuisine. 

The peoples of Japan and Myanmar have many things in common. I am sure that many of you in attendance here tonight will agree that one of these commonalities is the national characteristic of consideration for others.

I have heard that in the Myanmar language, there is a word “ah-nah-deh”which expresses the feeling of consideration for others. I have been told that Japanese people feel a deep sense of solace when they hear this word said by a person from Myanmar. I believe that this is an example of how the peoples of Japan and Myanmar are emotionally connected at a deep level.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and I have another thing in common. Both of us were born on a Tuesday. According to the zodiac of Myanmar, those born on a Tuesday are said to be as enthusiasm as a lion. I would like us to be true friends who are enthusiastically involved in building the country of Myanmar, while maintaining our consideration for others.

We have invited to this evening’s banquet leaders from many different places, all of whom are supporting the invaluable friendship between our two countries in a variety of different fields. It is thanks to all of your support that the wonderful relationship between Myanmar and Japan exists today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to all of you, and my hope that you will continue to work with us toward the further development of this relationship.

I would now like to raise a toast to the health and happiness of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and everyone here, and for the further development of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Myanmar. Thank you.”