[Lion Heart -- Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
(Provisional Translation)

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Japanese

Inauguration of the Third Koizumi Cabinet

Junichiro Koizumi here.

I have been entrusted with the great responsibility of the post of Prime Minister for the third time as a result of my appointment as head of the Cabinet at the special Diet session yesterday, September 21. I immediately reappointed all Cabinet ministers and inaugurated the third Koizumi Cabinet. Solemnly accepting the mandate expressed by the people of Japan to "continue advancing reform," I intend to put the structural reforms onto a solid track without stopping.

The first item on my agenda is to resubmit the bill related to the privatization of the postal services that was defeated and dropped at the last ordinary Diet session, and to see that it is passed.

Under the policies of "leave to the private sector what it can do" and "leave to the localities what they can do," I will strive to reform government-related financial organizations, realize the reform package of the three issues on subsidy, tax sources and local allocation tax, and tackle the issue of reducing the number of civil servants and total personnel costs involving civil servants. The budget for the next fiscal year will be formulated at the end of this year, and is very important as it will also be the last such budget formulation under the Koizumi Cabinet. Numbers clearly show that there is "no growth without reform." A budget must be formulated to clearly define a course that would prevent any backtracking on reforms, and one that seeks to invigorate the economy without relying on public spending.

We face a plethora of diplomatic issues too. The fight against terrorism, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the people of Iraq, and issues concerning North Korea are just some of the important diplomatic topics we will continue to make every endeavor to deal with as we move forward.

Last week, in my address to the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), I stressed the necessity of achieving a "caring UN" that reaches out to those who struggle in poverty, a "strong UN" that fights terrorism and builds peace, and an "effective UN" commensurate to the many difficult challenges we face today. Looking ahead, I have every intention to continue to cooperate with the countries of the world in advancing UN reform, including reform of the Security Council.

There is no end to the reforms. Although I have barely a year left before my term of office comes to a close, I will ensure that reforms do not cease and will work hard to fulfill my duties as Prime Minister.

As always, I welcome the opinions of the readers of the e-mail magazine and ask for your continued support.

* The title of this column "Lion Heart" is a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform.

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