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The Prime Minister in Action
Commemorative National Meeting on the 70th Anniversary of the inception of the Offenders Rehabilitation System
October 7, 2019
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address (3)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address (4)
[Provisional Translation]
On October 7, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Commemorative National Meeting on the 70th Anniversary of the inception of the Offenders Rehabilitation System, which was held in Tokyo in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
The Prime Minister said in his congratulatory address,
“I express my heartfelt congratulations on the successful holding of the commemorative national meeting on the 70th anniversary of the inception of the offenders rehabilitation system today, in the gracious presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and with the attendance of a large number of people involved in offenders rehabilitation from across Japan.
To begin with, I would like to express my profound respect and gratitude to those who contribute to the offenders rehabilitation, including those who are here today, for your significant impacts delivered through your strong commitment to social service and dedicated efforts.
I also offer my heartfelt congratulations to all those who have received a prestigious commendation today in honor of your contributions throughout all these years.
The Government is advancing comprehensive measures against repeat criminal offences, aiming at making Japan the safest country in the world. Thanks to the strong support extended from you, we are seeing tangible achievements; the number of criminal offenses recognized by the police has reached its lowest level since the end of World War II, while the number of former prisoners returning to prison within two years has fallen steadily.
I too recently visited an offenders rehabilitation facility, as the very first sitting prime minister, and invited volunteers and children, who will shoulder the coming era, to the Prime Minister’s Office to have an exchange of views. These opportunities have made me aware of the importance of building a ‘RE:Start’ society, in which everyone can begin afresh, through various efforts such as accepting individuals who are attempting to make a fresh start after a crime or delinquency back into society and securing a decent job and place in their local community, for building a safe and secure country.
The realization of a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged, which the Government is currently promoting as its key policy, unquestionably means to build a society where even people who have experienced failure can be accepted and play an active role. Even for regional revitalization, safe local societies without crime or delinquency where people can have peace of mind form the very foundation of our efforts. I am confident that we can boast to the world our offenders rehabilitation system, which is sustained by communities efforts, including volunteer probation officers, over the years.
To build a Japan that has hope for the future, your activities are indispensable and extremely important, and the public has great expectations for you. I am also firmly resolved to continue working on the further enhancement of various initiatives for offenders rehabilitation.
In closing, I would like to express my congratulations, and wish for your future health and success.”
