Wednesday, January 31, 2001

The 151st session of the Diet, the first of the twenty-first century, was convened, and Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori delivered a policy speech to plenary sessions of both houses following the opening ceremony. Discussing the outlook for the new century, the Prime Minister expressed his determination to build a peaceful nation and world blessed with an abundant environment, and he stated his convictions on policies in terms of "hope," "humanity," "trust," and "the earth."