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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, at the Prime Minister's Office.

The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, followed by a summit meeting. Thereafter, the leaders held a signing and exchange of documents ceremony as well as a joint press announcement.

Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and said in his address,

“I wish to offer my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Sobotka on his first visit to Japan.

In our meeting earlier, we held an extensive exchange of views. This evening, I would like you to relax and enjoy Japanese cuisine to your heart’s content.

For Japanese people, especially those of the slightly older generation like myself, the Czech Republic brings to mind none other than Vera Caslavska. Her graceful performance won her gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, and she captured the hearts of the Japanese people.

In the field of music, I think Japanese people most associate the Czech Republic with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (‘From the New World’). Played in the evening to remind children that it is time to make their way home, this melody has become integrated into the daily lives of the Japanese people. It is a nostalgic piece that is known by almost every Japanese person.

At a recent exhibition, the paintings of Mucha, including the works of ‘The Slav Epic’ that had never been displayed outside the Czech Republic before, captivated the Japanese people. The Mucha exhibition in Tokyo was a great success, attracting some 650,000 visitors.

I believe these examples show that the sensibilities of the Japanese and the Czech people appeal to each other and heighten each other.

The Czech people are known to be hardworking people who care about the results of their work, which is also considered a virtue by the Japanese people. Japanese companies, primarily those in the manufacturing industry, have entered the Czech market, and a range of exchanges between the Japanese and Czech people have flourished there. This is precisely because we understand each other in terms of our sensibilities.

We have invited to today’s banquet, leaders who have supported the relationship between Japan and the Czech Republic in a range of areas.

It is thanks to all of you that the friendly relationship between the two countries is what it is today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and ask for your continued support.

I would now like to raise a toast to the continued health and happiness of Prime Minister Sobotka and all those in attendance, and to the further deepening of the friendly relationship between Japan and the Czech Republic.”