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On July 29, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the 58th group of junior reporters from Okinawa and the 36th group of junior reporters from Hakodate, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to the junior reporters from Okinawa and Hakodate to the Prime Minister’s Office today. I always immensely look forward to having you at this office every year.
 
Hakodate in Hokkaido, and Okinawa, are both wonderful regions filled with the beautiful nature, culture and traditions of the northern and southern parts of Japan.
 
Miku-san has just delivered an impressive speech on behalf of you. I was impressed that, while she introduced Okinawa to us in her speech, she also recognized the beautiful nature that you are proud of and what you have protected, as well as the importance of cherishing the bonds the people share with one another.
 
In these kinds of opportunities where those from Hakodate and Okinawa mingle with one another, it would be of course important that you could answer to questions like, for instance, what Hakodate looks like. At the same time, I believe that it is very important to learn and understand the good parts of one another’s hometown.  
 
Japan may seem like a small country, but it actually covers a large expanse of land, and each of the respective communities have their own people, their own histories and culture, as well as wonderful natural environments. Even as you get to know and befriend many people in different communities, I hope that you will discover anew the charms of the community that you were born and raised in.
 
The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will convene next year, and it is now less than one year from the opening of the Games. I was 10 years old during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, but I still remember vividly even now that I was excited to see many people from around the world visit Japan and Japanese athletes compete against them very well. At the time, tourists from overseas rarely came to Japan. Today, many visitors come to Japan and, in particular, the Tokyo Games will attract more; I believe that Japanese athletes, representing each part of Japan, will show us spectacular games.
 
We are now just one year away from the Games. I would like to work together to make it a success and join you in communicating to the world the wonderful aspects of part of Japan. I also hope that you will all make full use of this experience as junior reporters, and of the friendships you have forged in the future.
 
I look forward to your success great success in the future. Thank you.”