Abe calls on gov’t newcomers to work with strong sense of ethics

April 4, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday told new central government employees to work with a strong sense of ethics, at a time a Finance Ministry document manipulation scandal has shaken public trust in the government.

"I hope you'll work with a strong sense of ethics and close attention to live up to the public mandate with support from the people," Abe said at the beginning of a three-day joint seminar attended by about 750 new career-track officials.

Emphasizing the importance of interagency collaboration to resolve policy challenges, the prime minister called on the newcomers to "cherish bonds with your colleagues here and consider policies together as 'All Japan.'"

"I want you to take a big step forward and make brave attempts with great pride and no fear of criticism," Abe stressed.

In a speech, a representative of the new officials said, "We'll perform our duties in good faith, fully recognizing our responsibility as servants of the whole public while keeping a fresh mind."

During the joint seminar, 2015 Nobel Physics Prize winner Takaaki Kajita, director of the University of Tokyo's Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, will give a lecture. Jiji Press