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What's up around the Prime Minister

Unveiling of the Completion of the Prime Minister's New Residential Quarters

Monday, April 11, 2005


Photograph of Prime Minister receiving the key to the household fuel cell Photograph of Prime Minister giving an address Photograph of Prime Minister unveiling the new residence

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The completion of the new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters was unveiled.

The unveiling of the completion of the new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters was held with the participation of past prime ministers, chief cabinet secretaries, and ministers of various ministries and agencies, among others. The new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters is the result of the renovation of the former Prime Minister's Official Residence, which was completed in 1929, and retains remnants of its Western-style architecture that continuously witnessed Japan's turbulent history including the 2.26 incident. It is a structure whose function has been enhanced in a way that befits the prime minister's residence in the new century, including a business space that is accessible 24 hours, tea room and Japanese-style room for receiving foreign visitors.

In his address, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "A project that was begun in the Nakasone Cabinet has now been completed. The new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters that harnesses the positive aspects of the former Prime Minister's Official Residence, which has both historical and cultural value, and befits the new era, has been built."

Prior to the unveiling of the completed new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters, a ceremony to introduce the world's first commercial household fuel cell unit was held on April 8. The fuel cell is an apparatus that extracts hydrogen from sources such as city gas or LP gas, produces heat as a result of a chemical reaction with oxygen, boils water, and generates electricity at the same time. The fuel cell can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and two units were installed at the new Prime Minister's Residential Quarters. Prime Minister Koizumi turned on the power and said, "I would like to establish a link between the feeling of 'mottainai,' which could be translated literally as 'don't waste what is valuable,' and technology that is environmentally friendly, and leave a wonderful environment for generations to come."