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[Provisional Translation]

The Parliamentary Vice-Ministers for the Third Reshuffled Third Abe Cabinet were decided during the Cabinet meeting on August 7, 2017.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave letters of appointment to the newly appointed Parliamentary Vice-Ministers at the Prime Minister’s Office. Following this, the Prime Minister held a commemorative photograph session and attended the first meeting of Parliamentary Vice-Ministers.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister stated as follows.

“I would like to offer some remarks to the meeting of Parliamentary Vice-Ministers.

The third reshuffled Cabinet of the Third Abe Cabinet has been inaugurated. ‘Take Japan back.’ Recalling the strong sense of mission and sense of urgency I felt when I promised this to the people of Japan five years ago, I have formed a new lineup of ministers to ensure that we produce results.

The Japanese economy is taking steady steps forward toward revitalization and an exit from deflation. We will aim to exit deflation by further enhancing the economic policy of the three arrows to date, and by sustaining the positive economic cycle through improvements in employment and wage increases. I will continue to give top priority to the economy in administering the government.

The bonds of the Japan-US Alliance have deepened further, and our relations with neighboring countries are improving. We will work hand-in-hand with countries that share Japan’s fundamental values, such as freedom and democracy, and further reinforce diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map. At the same time, based on our National Security Strategy (NSS), we will hoist high the flag of Japan’s proactive contribution to peace and make contributions to global peace and prosperity more than ever before.

To realize our goal of realizing a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged, we will exit deflation, achieve regional revitalization, and develop a new growth path for the Japanese economy. We will hoist the flag of Japan’s proactive contribution to peace even higher and make Japan shine in the world’s center stage. We will advance human resources development looking ahead to people living until they are 100 years old. We will create a society in which any child is able to work hard towards reaching his or her dreams regardless of their family’s economic situation. I would like each Parliamentary Vice-Minister to make utmost efforts in their respective fields in order to open up a path to such a future in Japan.

I ask that you build appropriate relationships of trust with the officials supporting you, create an environment in which all ministries and agencies are able to fully exercise their capabilities, support ministers and state ministers, and administer government affairs.

I expect that you will give your all to fulfilling your duties, and work as one in exerting your utmost to pursue politics for the nation and the people.

Lastly, I would like to make one more comment. Typhoon No. 5 is causing significant damages. There is a possibility and risk that it will travel across the Japanese archipelago and could cause further damages.

I have instructed Cabinet Ministers upon appointing them to ensure that the Government works collectively in taking all possible measures for crisis management in order to protect the lives and properties of the people from natural disasters. 

From the moment that you are appointed, I would like you to support ministers and state ministers and respond to the mandate given to you by the people in a responsible manner, with a strong sense of mission to protect the lives and properties of the people.”