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| Top Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister |
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(Provisional Translation)
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Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
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Today I reshuffled the Cabinet.
Thanks to the efforts of the people of Japan, buds of reform are now coming to be seen in the two years and five months since the Koizumi Cabinet took on the weighty responsibility of national administration and started to promote structural reform. I am fully convinced that the various reforms that have been implemented under the policies of "no growth without reform," "leave to the private sector what they can do," and "leave to the localities what they can do" will respond appropriately to the needs of the age, and undoubtedly lead to revitalization of the society and economy of Japan. We must now combine our energies to ensure that these buds of reform are nurtured into a large tree called a "rebirth of Japan." I am resolved to maintain the policies I have followed to date and under a new structure, the Cabinet will in union continue to promote reforms. An important mission for this Cabinet is to bring out the vitality of the private sector and the high motivation of the regions and overcome deflation and revitalize the economy. Although economic conditions remain stringent, the results of reforms are steadily beginning to appear. The Cabinet will actively promote employment policy and policies for small and medium enterprises to revitalize regional economy, and also will continue to put all its energies into the areas of finance, taxation, regulatory and public expenditure reforms. In an era in which the society and economy are undergoing rapid change, securing people's "safety" and "assurance in future life" is the fundamental responsibility of the Government. The Cabinet will revive "Japan, the safest country in the world," and also will work to establish an equitable and sustainable social security system of mutual support of the young and the aged, thereby realizing a society in which the people can feel reassured. The Cabinet will promote the formation of foundations for Japan's future development, including the promotion of science and technology and the promotion of a nation based on intellectual property. We must thoroughly tackle administrative and fiscal reform, and not bequeath the burden to the generation of our children and grandchildren. The Cabinet will steadily promote reform in the public sector, including the privatization of the postal services and the four highway public corporations; promote reform package of three issues towards decentralization as well as regulatory reform; and realize a society and economy that is led by a dynamic private sector and unique regional communities. The safety and development of Japan rests alongside world peace and stability. Japan will make an appropriate contribution to the various challenges that the international community are facing, and will make utmost efforts towards various issues including the resolution of the abduction and security issues relating to North Korea, the promotion of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq, and the fight towards the prevention and elimination of terrorism. I fervently believe in the great power inherent in Japan, and I have renewed my determination to make further efforts to strongly promote structural reform together with the people of Japan. In this, from my heart I ask for the understanding and cooperation of the people. |