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 [Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister's Office on August 8, 2017.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“Last week, I reshuffled my Cabinet. Going back once more to the starting point when we regained the reins of government five years ago, by ensuring that we deliver results in each item on our policy agenda, we will work one step at a time towards regaining the trust of the people. I have assembled a team to achieve that goal.. We will continue to deal with our economy as a top-priority issue. While working closely with all of you of the ruling parties, I am resolved to respond to the mandate given to us by the people of Japan And am looking forward to working closely with you.

Due to the heavy rains in northern Kyushu last month, thirty six people died and five are still missing. In addition, two people have died as a result of the damage currently occurring in many areas from Typhoon No. 5.  Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my condolences for those who lost their lives and my sympathies to all the affected people.  In order to protect the safety of the people, I would like my Government to continue to work as one, exerting full efforts in emergency disaster response with a sense of urgency.  Further, at today's Cabinet meeting, I designated this year’s torrential rains as a Disaster of Extreme Severity. We will continue to exert our full efforts towards the recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas as quickly as possible.

North Korea, despite stern warnings from the international community, launched ICBM-class ballistic missiles twice in July.  This clearly indicates a grave and real threat to not only Japan but also the international community.

I welcome that, last week, a United Nations Security Council resolution to dramatically strengthen sanction measures on North Korea was passed. In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono attended the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meetings and reaffirmed our close cooperation with relevant countries, through consultations , including the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with United States Secretary of State Tillerson, the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the Japan-U.S.-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Next week, at the Japan-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Meeting (the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee) to be held on August 17, under the new designated ministers,  we will advance concrete discussions to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the entire Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Since further provocative acts by North Korea are entirely possible, we will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and make all necessary preparations.

The day before yesterday, I conveyed my sincere condolences for the souls of those who lost their lives due to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Tomorrow I will go to Nagasaki.

The tragic experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated. In order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, by firmly upholding the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and calling for action from both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states, I am resolved to take the leadership role in the international community. At the same time, I will continue to steadily advance comprehensive support measures for the atomic bomb survivors.

While listening closely to the voices of the people of Japan, I would like my Government and the ruling parties to work as one to deliver results. I am looking forward to working all of you and thank you very much.”