(Provisional Translation)

Comment by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the pregnancy of Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako

May 15, 2001

Having heard felicitously the formal announcement by the Imperial Household Agency on the pregnancy of Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako, I, together with the people of Japan, express wholeheartedly my greatest ever congratulations.
I humbly presume how pleased Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as well as Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, must be.
I express my sincere hope that Her Imperial Highness Masako will take the best care of herself, and will give safe birth. I, together with people of Japan, would like to await the birth in calmness.