National Foundation Day is a public holiday for the purpose of “recalling the founding of the nation and cultivating a mindset of love of the nation.” It is a national holiday on which each Japanese person thinks about the efforts made by our forebears from ages past in bringing the country to where it is today, and renews his or her hopes for the further development of the nation.

Japan is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty that can be enjoyed every season. Throughout its long history, Japan has fostered a unique culture and distinctive traditions to be proud of around the world. We have created a beautiful society in which people pray for a huge harvest for all, work together to cultivate the fields, share water, provide for each other when there is need, and join hands to assist each other. Through its wisdom and ingenuity, Japan has faced nature and maintained harmony with it, and simultaneously, contributed significantly to human activities in a variety of areas, including the advancement of science and technology.

Throughout our long history, Japan has countless times faced great difficulties and severe trials, but each time, our ancestors brought themselves to their feet full of courage and hope, building the peaceful and prosperous nation of the current day through each individual’s unceasing efforts and cultivating a national character that protects freedom and democracy, respects human rights, and upholds the rule of law. The advances Japan enjoys today lie atop the foundation of those untiring efforts.

Contemplating the significance of the footprints those ancestors left, we who are alive at this moment will make the maximum possible efforts to pass down this precious peace and prosperity to future generations, acting in close cooperation with the international community.

As we observe National Foundation Day, I have renewed my determination to boldly take on and overcome even difficult issues going forward, preserving traditions, while at the same time, never fearing change, as well as carve out a better future by accumulating such efforts.

I sincerely hope that for you, my fellow citizens, National Foundation Day will be an opportunity to appreciate the efforts made by people who went before us as you look back on the path Japan has taken until now, as well as an opportunity to aspire to pursue further prosperity for Japan.