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On January 10, 2020, the Prime Minister attended the third award ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize, held at the Prime Minister's Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“I congratulate all the winners of the prestigious Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations.
 
As we are entering into the age of a 100-year life society, the Abe Cabinet is working to create a society in which anyone, at any age, can play an active role, leveraging their individuality. To that end, efforts to overcome disease and lengthen healthy life expectancy are becoming a more important issue than ever. It is cutting-edge research and development that support such efforts.
 
Research is the work of pioneering a new world that no one has experienced before. There are no simple and easy answers. You must set the research topics by yourselves, repeatedly engage in trial and error, and deliver results.
 
Dr. Kanai and the other winners continued to make persistent efforts, even during the darkest of days, when it seemed like there was no way forward, and consequently, have made outstanding achievements that are recognized the world over. As the Prime Minister, I want to once again express my heartfelt respect for the award winners.
 
The achievements that were recognized today cover a wide range of areas from basic research to the practical application of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The Government will continue to exert every effort to lay the groundwork that can give birth to such diverse and creative research.
 
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes for the continued success of all the award winners here today. Congratulations to all of you once again.”