[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the Japanese American Leadership Delegation at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I am delighted to warmly welcome all of you today, as Japanese-Americans who are active all over the United States.

Whenever I visit countries around the world, including Central and South America, and of course the United States, wherever there is a community or society of people of Japanese descent, I make sure to always meet them and have a discussion with them.

People of Japanese descent who have crossed the seas and moved to other regions around the world have played an enormous role in increasing trust in Japan and respect for Japanese people, through their diligence, sincerity, keeping of promises, and consideration for others, in their local communities. For this I would like to once again express my respect for all people of Japanese descent around the world, including yourselves.

The history of Japanese-Americans in the United States included many difficulties. No doubt it is through the efforts of your parents, grandparents, and their predecessors in overcoming these various difficulties that the position of Japanese-Americans in U.S. society is what it is today. 

Last year I went to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and made a speech there. Then-President Obama and I declared to the world that our two countries, which in the past fought fiercely against each other, have now become allies bonded in spirit; that we share many universal values; and that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is “an alliance of hope,” through which we tackle the many challenges facing the globe together.

As an example, yesterday North Korea launched several missiles, and this morning I had a telephone call from President Trump, who gave me the powerful message that the United States is with Japan 100%. I am sure that the efforts of Japanese-Americans are a major reason that this alliance has become as robust as it is now.

Last year, on the evening before the day I made my speech at Pearl Harbor, I participated in a dinner banquet with approximately 1,000 Japanese-Americans, including Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council. We enjoyed an amicable evening together, and I renewed my awareness of the strong ties between Japanese-Americans and Japan. I would like to express my thanks to President Hirano Inouye for her immense contributions to furthering exchanges and strengthening ties between Japanese-Americans and Japan. I understand that President Hirano Inouye visited Kanazawa on this trip, which has recently been connected to Tokyo via the Shinkansen. If the opportunity presents itself, I hope she will visit my own home region as well. I am from Yamaguchi Prefecture, an area that rivals Kanazawa and Ishikawa Prefecture in its history and tradition. Many people from my region, including some of my own relatives, have moved to Hawaii or California.

I would now like to conclude my remarks by requesting that you all continue to serve as true bridges between Japan and the United States. Thank you.”