Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� April, 2002

Final Official Duties Performed at the Current Prime Minister's Official Residence Friday, April 26, 2002 As a result of the completion of the new Prime Minister's Official Residence, April 26, 2002 was the last day that official duties were performed at the current Prime Minister's Official Residence. This day marked the passing of exactly one year since the launch of the Koizumi Cabinet, and on this occasion the Prime Minister invited the press to view the Prime Minister's Office, where the Prime Minister of Japan carries out his official duties. Beginning with Prime Minister Giichi Tanaka, forty-two Japanese Prime Ministers have carried out official duties in the Prime Minister's Office of the current Prime Minister's Official Residence. On the occasion of this, the final day of the current Prime Minister's Official Residence, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his thoughts, stating, "The time to move has come. I suppose that my appointment as Prime Minister reflects the changing of the times. I keenly sense the weight of the role that I must bear in this time of great change." Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi held a press conference on this day, which marked the passing of one year since he was appointed as Prime Minister.