Abe makes New Year’s vow to execute policies

January 1, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his determination on Monday to carry out policy measures he pledged in the election of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, in October last year.

"This year is a year of execution. I will implement one by one the policies I promised in the general election," Abe said in a New Year's statement.

"Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond, I'm determined to promote reform strongly toward new nation-building," he said.

Abe's current term as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will expire in September this year. His remarks suggest his eagerness anew to win a third three-year term and put an amended constitution in place by 2020, when the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are held.

In the statement, Abe said this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. While the Meiji Restoration started in the midst of a national crisis brought about by a wave of colonial rule that reached Asia, Japan currently faces a national crisis due to the low birthrate and the aging of society, he said.

"We can change the future," the prime minister said, signaling his intention to implement a policy package worth about 2 trillion yen featuring free preschool and higher education.

On the security and diplomacy front, Abe stressed his government's full preparations to address North Korea's nuclear and missile development. "We will conduct resolute diplomacy and protect the people's lives and peaceful living in any situation," he said. Jiji Press