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Send-off Event for the Japanese National Team of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Monday, August 4, 2008 JAPANESE

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Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the send-off event at a hotel in Tokyo for the Japanese national team competing at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games that is to start from September 6. At the event, the Prime Minister delivered an address and gave words of encouragement to the members of the Japanese national team, saying, "This will be an opportunity for each and every one of you, who were chosen to demonstrate your abilities after years of tenacious efforts, to produce great results at this big event. I also see the Paralympic Games as an opportunity to greatly inspire people around the world as they witness the athletes' all-out endeavors, which will give hope to those who are in a similar position to you. In that sense, a lot is expected of each and every one of you, and I earnestly wish for your success in meeting those expectations. It is also my sincere wish that the members of the Japanese national team will forge friendships with people from around the world, and thereby act as messengers of world peace."