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General Policy Speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the 164th Session of the Diet Friday, January 20, 2006 JAPANESE The 164th session of the Diet was convened and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi delivered a general policy speech to a plenary session of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors after the opening ceremony. At the outset, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Today, motivation to take on the challenge of a new era and confidence in the belief that 'if you do it, it will happen' are finally emerging in Japanese society, and the buds of reform are starting to grow into a large tree. We should never stop or slow down the reform. Taking the realization of the privatization of the postal services as an impetus, I will continue with my reform efforts and realize a simple yet efficient government based on the stable foundation of the coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito." Prime Minister Koizumi then delivered the basic policies for national administration in the areas of "economic vitalization", "securing reassurance in people's daily life and the safety of people", "improving and harnessing 'human resources'", "establishing a basis for future development" and "foreign policy and national security." In concluding his speech, Prime Minister Koizumi stressed to the people of Japan and the members of the Diet that "In sincerely accepting the mandate expressed by the people that we should 'never stop the reform,' I am prepared to devote myself wholeheartedly to discharging my responsibilities as Prime Minister throughout the remainder of my term for the sake of tomorrow's development." Related link: General Policy Speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the 164th Session of the Diet