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On December 4, 2017, 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,

“First, the Imperial House Council meeting held on December 1 decided on the view that the date of putting into effect the Special Measures Law on the Imperial Household Law, which will be the date of abdication of His Majesty the Emperor, should be April 30, 2019. Based on this view of the Imperial House Council, the Government will swiftly enact a cabinet order stipulating the day the Special Measures Law is to enter into effect. We will put forth every possible effort to ensure that the abdication of His Majesty the Emperor and the accession of His Highness the Crown Prince to the Imperial Throne takes place without incident amidst the good wishes of the Japanese people, and I ask for everyone’s cooperation.

Last week, North Korea conducted the launch of what is believed to be a new type of intercontinental range ballistic missile. The Government stayed fully abreast of the developments related to the missile and prepared for all possible contingencies as part of our crisis management. It is totally unacceptable that North Korea has conducted this outrageous act, in complete disregard of the strong and unanimous will of the international community to find a peaceful resolution. We immediately lodged a strong protest against North Korea, and together with the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), we requested the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to convene an emergency meeting. At the same time, I held telephone talks with President Trump and President Moon, respectively. We shared the view that we will further strengthen pressure on North Korea, encourage a greater role by China, and closely collaborate at the UNSC and other fora. In order to cause North Korea to change its policies, we will create a situation in which the international community unites through resolute diplomacy to step up the pressure on North Korea to the maximum, such that North Korea is the one that seeks dialogue. I confirmed with President Trump and President Moon that there is absolutely no change in this policy.

This month, Japan assumed presidency of the UNSC. On December 15, we will hold a UNSC Ministerial Meeting on the North Korea issue. Japan will take the lead on initiatives in the international community through this kind of activity. Japan will not give in to any provocative action. We will step up the pressure to the maximum in collaboration with the international community. I am determined to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people under the robust Japan-U.S. Alliance.

We will carry out revolutions in productivity and human resources development to overcome one of the greatest challenges facing us, the declining birthrate and aging population. To that end, I would like to compile a new economic policy package as early as this week. Detailed reviews of this package are now under way by fully taking into account the proposals I received from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and Komeito, respectively, on November 24. We are also working to formulate this fiscal year’s supplementary budget and next fiscal year’s budget toward the end of the year. We are furthermore approaching the finalization of the tax system reform.

These are all work we cannot finish without discussions and deliberations in the ruling parties. For the first time in 16 years, the Japanese economy has seen growth for seven quarters in a row. I ask for the understanding and cooperation of the ruling parties in order to further ensure a firm growth trajectory of the economy, and make sure we exit deflation.

In order to meet the commitments entrusted to us by the people of Japan in the last general election, I will implement and produce results on each of the policies we promised during the election, based on the strong coalition that has formed between the LDP and Komeito. I would like to ask for your continued cooperation on this.”