"Hello, this is Shinzo Abe" -- Message from the Prime Minister
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Autumn -- A Season for Work

September has arrived. The temperatures in the mornings and evenings are a little easier to live with, and also, we are beginning to hear the singing of crickets and bell crickets.

Autumn -- this is a season for work.

I myself am undertaking my work on a new note too, beginning with participation in the disaster prevention drills held in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture on the very first day of this month and a meeting with visiting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria on the third.

Just after launching our new Cabinet last week, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takehiko Endo resigned.

In performing their duties, Cabinet members should remain free from any trace of impropriety that might cause them to lose public trust. This is achieved by making it a matter of principle to administer their duties in a strictly fair and neutral manner, particularly in the area in which they serve in charge.

All Cabinet members should be keenly aware of these fundamentals and must continue to exercise fairness, with a sense of intensity, in carrying out policy. These are the instructions that I gave to the members of my Cabinet. I have appointed Mr. Masatoshi Wakabayashi as Mr. Endo's successor. Mr. Wakabayashi has a seasoned knowledge of administration of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. I am fully determined to devote my best efforts to ensure that no administrative delay occurs.

Starting tomorrow, I will be attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, which will be held in Sydney, Australia. This will be my second time, following last year's meeting in Hanoi.

The APEC Summit is an annual meeting attended by the leaders of 21 countries and regions around the Pacific Rim to discuss a wide range of global issues, beginning with economic issues and including anti-terrorism measures and climate change issues.

With respect to climate change issues, the APEC region, which includes the United States and China, accounts for 60% of global CO2 emissions. It is of extreme significance that people in the region make a concerted effort to reduce emissions.

With a view to achieving this goal, I will be explaining my "Cool Earth 50" initiative at the APEC meeting, and I hope we will be able to deepen our discussions even further.

Immediately after I return to Japan on Monday morning, the extraordinary Diet session will begin. There are important tasks mounting, such as the extension of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. I will brace myself and commit totally to domestic and foreign policies.

In Japan, we have a saying that runs, "Tsutomureba aki ari," meaning that if you work diligently, the efforts will bear fruit. The word "aki" is a homonym in Japanese for "autumn" and "satiety." There is the belief that autumn in Japanese is pronounced "aki" because it is a season that bears an abundant, satiating harvest.

I will continue to steadily implement policies for the people, one by one.

Today is the first birthday of His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his healthy growth.

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