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On January 17, 2020, the Prime Minister attended a Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the opening of the meeting, a silent prayer was offered for the victims of the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“This year, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo at long last for the first time in half a century. It also marks the start of the 2020s. I would like to work with the ruling parties in unity on the major reform of the social security system that can bring peace of mind to all generations, and peace diplomacy, which shines in the world amidst rapid changing international situations, making this year one that paves the way to a new era.
 
It will be the most significant stimulus of the economy to enact the supplementary budget and the budget for the following fiscal year at the ordinary session of the Diet. We will consolidate the path of recovery and reconstruction from natural disasters, exiting deflation, and achieving economic revitalization.
 
Furthermore, we will boldly work on various policy issues, including achieving a social security system oriented to all generations, our greatest challenge this year.
 
I want to make this session of the Diet one that realizes peace of mind and growth in the new era, by implementing steadily the policies that we promised the public. As the Government will attend deliberations in the Diet in a solemn manner, I would like to ask for your cooperation.
 
From January 11 to January 15, I visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, three countries with great influence on the peace and prosperity of the Middle East. As we are seeing the easing of tensions, we shared the recognition that all the parties involved should behave with self-restraint and exert all diplomatic efforts in order to avoid further aggravation of the situation in the Middle East.
 
Japan relies on this region for much of its energy resources. In addition to such diplomatic efforts, we obtained understanding and support from each country on the information gathering activities to be undertaken by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to ensure the safe navigation of ships related to Japan.
 
We will continue peace diplomacy persistently towards resolving problems through dialogue, on the basis of our Alliance with the United States, and friendly relations with the countries of the Middle East, including Iran.
 
While we have welcomed the era of Reiwa, we are confronting extremely difficult issues including the declining birthrate and aging society, as well as a rapidly changing international situation. By addressing these issues head on, I would like to advance new nation building on the stable political foundation built by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, and together with the people. I ask for your continued cooperation this year as well.”