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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister's Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“It is completely unacceptable to Japan that North Korea belligerently conducted a nuclear test yesterday regardless of the repeated warnings from the international community. Yesterday, I held summit telephone talks with President Trump and President Putin, and a short while ago I held a summit telephone talk with President Moon Jae-in. We fully shared the view that the international community must closely collaborate going forward.

I will also have an in-depth discussion with President Putin and President Moon this week in Vladivostok, and will confirm even further collaboration. In addition, through a series of meetings to be held on the margin of the United Nations General Assembly during the latter part of this month and other opportunities, I will strongly advocate that now is not the time for dialogue, but rather that we need to have close collaboration within the international community to strengthen pressure on North Korea to change its policies.

Whether or not we can put a stop to these outrageous acts by North Korea that threaten world peace depends on the cooperation and solidarity of the international community. I will continue to do my utmost to deepen Japan’s cooperation with the international community.

At the same time, in order to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people, the Government has deployed Aegis-type vessels and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) units, and is making every possible effort for missile defense with the cooperation of the United States. We aim aim to fundamentally enhance our capabilities, centering on the Aegis Ashore system.

As further provocative acts are possible, under the robust Japan-U.S. Alliance we will continue to maintain elevated vigilance and do everything we can to protect the safety of the people.

I will visit Vladivostok from September 6-7 for my third summit meeting with President Putin this year. In addition to discussions about North Korea, I am resolved to further advance the peace treaty issue through frank discussions between the two of us so as to enable former residents of the Northern Territories to freely make grave visits and materialize joint economic activities further.

According to the recent Public Opinion Survey on the Life of the People released by the Cabinet Office, 73.9% of people are currently satisfied with their lives, which is the highest result in the history of the survey. In addition, the first preliminary quarterly estimate of GDP for the April-June period released last month showed strong GDP growth, with real GDP growth at 4.0% and nominal GDP growth at 4.6%, due to strong increases in individual consumption and capital investment, as well as the impact of the supplementary budget.. We are now seeing positive shifts in the mindset of the public and the state of the economy. Rather than being satisfied with these figures, we must work to expand and consolidate these shifts by responding appropriately to the issues we face.

Human resources development (“Hito-zukuri”) will be the driving force to pave the way to the next era of Japan. I want to create a society where children can take steps toward achieving their dreams, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. I want to create a society where people can continue their education and take on new challenges no matter how old they are. Meetings of an Advisory Council will start this month, which I will have boldly develop concepts for the correct approach for an economic society in the lead-up to the 100-year life society. I would like to ask for the cooperation of everyone in the ruling parties.

I will continue to devote myself to my job with a sense of urgency, and thoroughly produce results on the various issues we face. To that end, I will continue to work in close cooperation with everyone from the ruling parties and exert every possible effort to advance our policies forward. I am looking forward to working with all of you and thank you very much.”