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On December 10, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 34th National Meeting of the Japan Private Kindergarten PTA Association held in Tokyo.
 
The Prime Minister said in his congratulatory address,
 
“I would like to make some brief remarks on the occasion of the 34th National Meeting of the Japan Private Kindergarten PTA Association.
 
I would like to express once again my respect to the Private Kindergarten PTAs for your unstinting daily efforts to act as bridges among kindergartens, families and local communities, and to raise children in a healthy manner.
 
I believe that the role of education is to build a society in which all children can have hopes for the future and strive to fulfill their individual dreams. Children are truly the future of Japan. I believe that a happy country is one that is brimming with the smiles of children. While children’s smiles are important, the smiles of their mothers and fathers are also very important. This venue is filled with many smiling faces, and I feel your enthusiasm.
 
In particular, education at the early childhood stage is crucial in cultivating the foundation of personality development, and it is extremely important to secure high-quality kindergartens and early childhood education. To that end, we have been rebuilding education to value the individuality of each and every child, and also implementing measures towards reducing the burden on the childrearing generation, so that children’s futures are not affected by their household’s economic circumstances.
 
Free childcare and early childhood education have finally started from this October. This is the first major reform in 70 years, since the introduction of tuition-free basic education for the nine-year period covering elementary and junior high school. We are tackling our greatest challenge of the declining birthrate head-on, by creating a society where all children can work hard towards their dreams, regardless of the economic situation of their household.
 
Families and local communities are the foundation of kindergarten education. To enhance kindergarten education, it is essential that we improve the educational ability of families and local communities. At a time when there is a need for society to work as one to bring up children through the firm collaboration and cooperation of kindergartens, families, and local communities, the PTA serves as a bridge among these groups. I believe the role of the PTA activities is steadily growing.
 
As well as once again expressing my gratitude for all of your ongoing efforts, I would like to also express my hope that you will continue to work with us as leaders of PTA activities.
 
In closing, I would like to express my hope that today’s meeting will be fruitful, as well as to extend my best wishes for the further development of the Japan Private Kindergarten PTA Association, and for the continued health and success of all those in attendance here today.
 
The year is almost over. The following year is the year of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the previous Tokyo Olympics in 1964, I was still a young boy of 10 years old. Even now I clearly remember the genuine excitement and passion I felt at the time. I want to make the upcoming Games ones that will give unforgettable dreams and hopes to children. I wish you all a good year ahead. Thank you.”