Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Prime Minister Delivers Address to New Civil Servants

Prime Minister Taro Aso attended the 43rd ceremony held in Tokyo inaugurating the joint training for new civil servants, who will become the core personnel in administrative management in the future, and delivered an address to them.

Prime Minister Aso said, "Up until recently, the Japanese bureaucrats had been said to be the most talented ones in the world. Why are civil servants now facing criticism? That is because they have achieved goals. That is because they continue providing administrative service in a traditional way, despite the society having realized prosperity. The society has changed but civil service has not. Our goals have changed. Japan is now the world's second largest power. We have succeeded in the promotion of industry. What we need next is the people's safety and peace of mind, and to defend the people's daily lives. The priority should be shifted into the provision of assistance to users [of administrative service] and vulnerable people."

The Prime Minister furthermore requested them to achieve three things and encouraged them to be a professional who thinks of policies that the people need and who can carry them out. "First, I want you to be an expert of an area that you are assigned to. Be the number-one person of a field that you choose, whether it be social security, education, the economy, finance, diplomacy, or national defense. Second, I want you to envision the future and see the world. You have to think while anticipating the future and [the direction] the world [will unfold]. Third, I want you to speak in a language that is comprehensible to the people. I want you to explain in a language that is comprehensible to the people. Furthermore, do not be complacent in your position as a civil servant. I want you to fulfill your professional duty as a civil servant."