in tokyo. this is just over half an hour. [applause] >> good evening, ladies and gentlemen. i am shinzo abe. thank you very much for inviting me. i am delighted to see so many guests from the united states, as well as the nations of asia. please enjoy your stay in japan. it has been more than four years since i have retaken the government. japan before that, under the rule of the democratic party of japan, was enwrapped with pessmism, with a sense of deregulation. japan was not able to make its presence felt in the international arena. population is shrinking. thus we can no longer expect growth. japan is already in its twilight years. such was we often heard looming large before us to give it all up. the stock price, at the time, was less than half of what it is today over 8,000 yen or so. i stood up to take on the challenge. i promised to restore japan to what she use to be. how is japan today? during the past four years, through our economic policies, gdp has grown by 9.5%, adding 47 trillion yen, an all-time high. employment, which decreased by 290,000 jobs in the previous administration, despite the decline in population, rose by 1.85 million in four years. what's more, 82% of them, women, unemployment rate is at 2.8%, almost full employment level. number of regular workers increased by 790,000 just in the two years. and, actually, it has gone down to 550,000 before they took over the government. the number of foreigners visiting japan surged, as well. before the start of my administration, it was 8 million in a year. last year it reached 24 million, a threefold increase. immediately after taking over the government i introduced visa waiver and relaxation. and went ahead with the duty-free system, or hospitality campaign is gaining momentum. we're targeting 40 million visitors in japan in the 2020. the year of olympic games, national tax revenue has expanded by 15 trillion yen, after the change in government. local governments have seen growth in their tax revenue for all the 47 prefectures. talking about the prefectures, all of the 47 prefectures now boast an active openings rate of more than 1.0, meaning number of jobs is greater than number of applicants in every prefecture. this is the first time in history. as the wage level continues, it will rise bringing it closer to the exit of deflaction. -- deflation. 2017 budget deliberation proceeded as scheduled and was approved without any amendment. upon which -- from april, the rate of employment insurance premium was decreased. augmenting the disposal of the disposal of employees. new system of scholarship, as well as plan to eliminate waiting list for entering for children are into deuced and for university students, as well as children. already my government has submitted to reform cultural policy legislation to the diet, when all the bills are made into law and unprecedented reform will materialize. final draft was agreed on work style reform to be formulated into a bill to be proposed. in order for young couples to balance work and child care, new fiscal year's budget will be spent to increase nurseries and improve compensation for the nursery teachers. we are working to enhance long- term care facilities to ensure enough caregivers to ensure those workers who are highly motivated should not have to quit jobs because of the need to take care of their parents. when we look at companies in the four years of my administration, corporate earnings have grown by 22 trillion yen. the money earned should not be withheld in the company to stop the wheels of growth. rather, i am doing my best calling for a wage hike to bolster the purchasing power of the employees and for thorough promotion of a fairer trade practices between large company and the -- so that the fruit of growth will be spread all over the nation. looking at household income from the bases of redistribution, after tax and social security payments as well as benefits, the coefficient is dropping. moreover, we are creating conducive environment for profits to be invested for the future. when all is realized, we will see increase in consumption and productivity. going forward, my policies are unchanged -- economy first and exit from deflation, continue to shoot the three arrows of monetary fiscal and structural reform policy again and again to make them happen. economic growth of japan and stable livelihood for our people cannot be realized without working closely with the global economy, ensuring peace and security is a foundation for this end. my consistent position under scoring how i manage the government is to strengthen japan-u.s. alliance and to broaden the range of the diplomacy with the nation of the asia-pacific. since japan is not best in resources and surrounded by the ocean, we started early to be proactive overseas. whether they be into sme's, businesses have supported nation building in the asian economies and in europe and the u.s. they have expanded their businesses right after continuing to contribute to job creation. just two weeks ago, we have announced a contribution of $40 million to the new adb. this is the initiative to introduce advanced technologies in the areas of environment, transportation and infrastructure. in order to develop quality infrastructure, the $200 billion of contribution that have been announced previously will be activated within this year. i am the prime minister of japan. therefore, for me, it is japan first. however -- however, be careful. listen to me. however -- this japan, i mean, is a japan that coexists side by side with global prosperity and peace, and since last year a series of general election and referendums have taken place in many countries giving birth to new leaders. in g7 alone, this happens in the uk, u.s., italy, and france. last week, we saw it in south korea. it was a year where the attention of world was glued to the choice of people of these countries and to this, skepticism over, free trade, the community of social affairs directed attention in the u.k. and germany. general elections are coming. as we approach autumn in china, leadership reshuffle is expected next spring comes the russian presidential election. meanwhile, i have emphasized free trade. that is because when created it -- creativity and innovation can .e fully exerted on top of that, global warming is advancing. in societies are already happening at this moment when the global community is challenged with difficulties, exchanges of insights, expertise, and they become the key to finding solutions. with respect government should do is to eliminate barriers to such activities and to bring institutions to render fair and just recognition of results of innovations. in order to promote free trade at a steady pace and industry that will be effective sufficient time will be spent by measured reforms. we shall also make efforts to sme activities overseas. if it was economized, and transportation cost can be expected to decline. to say that one side has a trade surplus, that way of thinking would not do. after the start of this century, many emerging developing economies have acceeded to the wto. however, in some of the states, enforceable demand to domestic entities lack of discipline over state-owned enterprises no compliance even if it's established, these sort of deficiencies continue to be observed. they need to be further protect intellectual property need to be strengthened for the reason that just because across the border you need right now, the tpp has been packaged in the form to respond to these concerns. therefore, there has been no change in my conviction that it's necessary at asia spask at the end of this week, there are signatories tpp 11 will be convened. i look forward to advances in the discussion. vice president pence and deputy prime minister held the first japan-u.s. economic dialogue and agreed to continue the consultation on the common strategy on trade and estimate is and issues. theonly shall we accelerate flow of trade investment between japan and the u.s., we aspire to onseminate fair rules to act the asia-pacific by japan and the u.s.. lastly, i will talk about the future going forward. you may be skeptical about the future of this country with birthrate declining and population aging. is this country all right? so far it was a taboo, but my government has decided to target a birthrate of 1.8 by the early 2020's and child care services are being expanded. i attach importance to investing in human resources by scourging the introduction of robotics. we shall harness our people to be equipped with production skills in order to improve results and outcomes. more immigrants , mainly those who have technical expertise, and the number went above one million for the first time last year. my goal is to realize a society where each citizen can exert aeir respective skills in society with dynamic engagement of citizens. it is the japanese version of inclusive society. every person would be shining. and empowerment of women is the key to reach into regrading japanese economy, the abundant experiences, the high academic backgrounds of women. they still remain dormant. it's not only about increasing the number of woman participating but have more woman in leadership positions with responsibility at workplaces. this year with the support of harvard business school we have studied for candidate woman to receive training. i believe that a diverse sense of values and experiences of williduals co-mingle, this be promoted and eventually lead to services with a new and and will even lead to new social systems. we must never for get be on alert. despite the strong warning by the global community, north korea to -- two days ago launched a ballistic missile. is threat of north korea becoming severe at a higher level. level. terrorism is spreading across the world. covert, maneuver, but isil has not ceased. we shall have to maintain an unprecedent of intention and extreme force of collaboration. without peace and stability there will be no growth, no prosperity. it is not only the threat of north korea, but attempts to change the status by for coercion in the east and south china seas have ceased. the rule of law is reached. and freedom and dedication is also under threat. under this, japan is strengthening with the united states than ever before from the level to defense corporation on the ground, corporation is very close. we are to be being our maritimes surety corporation in terms of maritime capacity building amongst us. at the end of next week, with members including president till --nd others, and -- thate presidency of g7 summit will take place. andter sharing strengthening unity and solidarity. attending past summits, i am keen to contribute to the deliberation. thank you for your very kind attention. >> thank you very much, prime minister. -- talk about the economic japan's economy. i want to ask you more on that, especially on the international economic picture. had a chance to meet twice with president trump since he was elected president. by all accounts, you struck up a good relationship, play golf with him, i think, at mar-a-lago. you're not going to tell us who won. but you obviously started up a good relationship and you've talked about the importance of the relationship. backou were not able to off his campaign promise to withdraw the united states from tpp, and he has spoken very critically about tpp, indeed, about international trade arrangements with other countries. with the administration about looking at international economic relations, the new u.s. administration, you have wilbur ross has been critical of some of japan's policies in the past. still has a large trade surplus with the united states. larger than mexico. second only to china in terms of the u.s. deficits. you canconfident that get a construction trading relationship with the united states, given the importance that president trump has attached to what he calls fair to eliminating or at least reducing some of the trade deficits that the u.s. has? prime minister abe: no. between japan and the united states i believe economic cooperation can be developed and expanded. win-win relationship. -- we will be able to build a win-win relationship. i am convinced of this. between president trump and i, myself, before the inauguration, that is last year and after the inauguration on the 10th of february, we have had a summit meeting. and on those occasions i have explained to him on the current status of japan-u.s. trade. on the automotive industry for there is a criticism in the past there was a sort called u.s.-japan trade friction but right now japanese companies have built factories in the united states and that have ensured many jobs in the united states and contributing wealth to the u.s. economy. and further, and with the currency fluctuation, we have never made to expand ourselves by selling cheaply. between japan and the united is looking at the economic relationship, it has evolved hugely, and i have explained to president trump and i believe he understands this. and after united income, and di and investment creating jobs in the united states, japan is number two. we are making huge investments in the united states. and i have told president trump on this. and how we should expand and develop a relationship? we should really a framework, vice president prints and the deputy for prime minister. we will have a dialogue. the other day pants visit the japan. free and fair rules should be created together between -- together with the united dates in thethe trade rules world we have agreed on this. in the infrastructure for railways and other infrastructures, for individual projects, we have the will to move forward with collaboration and cooperation. we have agreed on this as well. and this year there will be a second round of the deputy crown -- prime minister and vice president pence dialogue with plate place. i think without a doubt eating the interests of the united states and japan, we will have a good discussion out of that. >> president trump prefers bilateral trade arrangements to tpp and nafta. is there a possibility there for a bilateral u.s.-japan free trade agreement some time in the trump administration? prime minister abe: between u.s. and japan, bilateral fda's or epa's, we do not another all. but there are multiple option we have in mind and we have to discuss what would be the best out of all options. about multilaterals, indeed, i fully acknowledge the position of the trump administration, but there is the supply chain that exists and fair and free trade rules to be made in a multilateral setting to create such fair and open trade rules for many times. repeatedly, i have explained to president trump -- during golf, explain on other occasions -- as for president trump, he did listen honestly to myself on that premise. >> what about tpp itself? there has been a lot of talk that a lot of members of the tpp, without the united states, may go ahead with an arrangement. there is interest of the other undernegotiations arsep. would you favor going ahead and building an agreement between the 11 members of tpp with the possibility of getting the u.s. involved again? have you given up completely on the idea of tpp? do you think it can be resurrected? prime minister abe: on tpp, the 12 economies that have been engaged in intensive discussion and finally agreed and it is of a very high level of ambition. there has been agreed very high level of high quality agreement has been reached through the agreement of the 12 economies. and it is quite relevant and important that such rules have been agreed at the tpp. and this momentum, i believe, should not be lost. and against this backdrop, japan should execute firm leadership so that the fruits and results -- amongst the tpp 11. in hanoi, the ministerial meeting. i hope that the fact the way ahead will be definitely shown. as for the tpp 11 to get together, we have already been given understanding by the united states. >> one of the themes we have been discussing today is the u.s. engagement with asia, and one or two people have expressed concern that since the presidential election and the rejection of tpp and china is taking a much more assertive role, the one belt, one road, the aiib, the u.s. has less of a voice in asia. and a lot of concern expressed here and elsewhere in asia, the u.s. may not be engaged in the important asian economic and security conversations as japan and allies might be. are you concerned about that? do you think the u.s. is disengaging from these asian conversations? prime minister abe: as for myself, in fact, today, with admiral harris, commander of the pacific command, i have just spoken with admiral harry harris. after trump took administration, in a certain sense in this region regarding the security of northeast a's a desk asia, i recognize that the commitment has been strengthened. the situation in north korea the trump administration is seriously tackling this situation, aircraft carrier carl vinson has been dispatched. cracked it was finally dispatched. it is on its way. [laughter] we were delayed. [laughter] prime minister abe: of course, there is a strategic meaning. it could have been strategic. but meanwhile, before entering the japan sea, the self-defense forces engaged in joint exercise and there was movement northward that was the significance. and throughout that, whatever had to be done, had to be urged to north korea or we had to urge china so they would play their role. i believe and i imagine, i presume that was a strategic way of thinking. but in this way, there is a thorough demonstration of attitude that all the options are on the table. that viewpoint has been demonstrated both in words and deeds. we highly appreciate this attitude. in addition to that in the south and the east china seas, regarding the situations occurring there, about their attitude, the u.s. commitment is unwavering. the other day, during my summit talk with president trump, during in the joint statement regarding the senkaku island, that it is subject to article 5 of our security alliance it is now explicitly mentioned in the language with regard to relation with north korea. all options including nuclear this also has been documented, described explicitly which means the u.s. commitment i think has been demonstrated. i think in a stronger way, that is my understanding. >> let me ask you about north korea. in the last three years, north korea has tested more missiles than in the past 30 years including this weekend. a new missile with a longer range than we have seen in the past. this is an increasingly threatening posture that we have seen from the north korean leadership. you have had many conversations with president trump and president moon in south korea south korea and president xi in china. the u.s. seems to be relying on china to exert pressure on north korea and thinks that is the right way to go to ensure that we resolve this threat from north korea. is that going to work? is it your impression that diplomatic, that security approach, through china is the most effective way to get north korea to back off this increasingly aggressive posture? prime minister abe: already, japan and the united states and many other countries through the united nations security council resolution have been applying pressure on north korea. now, the china constitutes more than 80% in overall trade in north korea. so with china dispensing its responsibility in a proper manner, i think we will be able to bring a conclusion to the question of north korea. now about north korea is importing -- china has stopped import of coal from north korea. but there are many other things that china can do. so we would like to have to encourage china to properly execute its responsibility, and we are watching closely. and the missile with the launch by north korea recently, this is a very high level launch. it has -- for the first time reached altitude of 2,000 kilometers and had the ballistic -- the warhead, what is happening on the missile is to be assessed. i believe that was the purpose of the experiment this time. that is how we assess the situation. so the technology of it i -- the strong pressure on north korea and when a nuclear test is conducted, that we need to have additional pressure applied, additional sanctions to be applied through the united nations security council. held -- ont as that this count as well, china should should properly take actions and china should understand fully and between united states and china through the summit meeting i understand that there were other talks on this. >> do you think china will? china was more aggressive with south korea recently in its response to the deployment of the thaad missiles. that seems to be more aggressive at south korea than it has been with north korea. you talked about the limitation of coal, but do you -- is china moving in the right direction there or does it seem to be still wanting to keep that close relationship with pyongyang in a way that is not putting much pressure on them? prime minister abe: for china, the one belt, one road, the extremely important forum was organized during the weekend. on that day, the missile was launched, i'm sure the chinese deeply perplexed that north korea chose that date, that how china would receive the message of north korea. that would be the point. so north korea is provocative behavior. for that, japan will strongly appeal to china. as for in terms of sino-japan relationship, the the g20 meeting and at the apec meeting, i had a meeting with president xi. this is the 45th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relationship. and president xi and we have agreed about taking these two milestone years about foreign tourists and visitor number i mentioned, but is it the largest number coming to china from japan and international students largest number from china to japan. person to person exchanges is at a very high level and as a trade partner, china is the largest trade partner for us. so in the way that china response expectations of the global community, we would also like to urge china to move that direction. >> and finally, prime minister, a new president has taken office in south korea just last week. he favors not only a more conciliatory relationship with north korea than his predecessor, but has taken a tougher line with japan over the issue of the comfort women. he said during the campaign he rejects the agreement you signed with president park a couple of years ago. i think you had a conversation with president moon last week and i'm sure this issue came up. are you prepared -- is japan prepared to do more on this issue given the importance to you and to korea and to the united states of a healthy, productive relationship between japan and south korea? is japan prepared to make more concessions and to acknowledge more responsibility for comfort women in the way that president moon would like? is that a basis for a deal you can get again? prime minister abe: the other day with the new president moon, we had a telephone conversation about we would like to further develop our bilateral relationship in a forward-looking manner and for north korea what should be the position and stance we should take. we have discussed on this and to president moon i believe on the whole have been accepted, the stance of the dialogue and pressure and forward action that the international community should work in unity to try and stop the acts of north korea and try to denuclearize. i believe we were able to come to agreement. now, for the comfort women issue, which has been a thorny issues for many years, with president park we have come to agreement with the united states and united nations and many other countries that have commended us on what we have been able to win why the claim and irreversible and in a final way we have come to agreement and we have come to the agreement on this. we have committed ourselves, both of our countries, and we should faithfully implement the agreement. it is something required of both of us. >> just because there is no possibility of that agreement being renegotiated in any way? prime minister abe: regarding this matter, for many years it has been a long-term issue between the two countries, but between myself and president park, we finally made our determinations. if one side unilaterally -- one party did not gain advantage. both of us tried to make a future-oriented decision and each of us, the leader, made a decision for the country. is it a country-to-country agreement or commitment. the global community was paying attention of our decision. all the people of the world said that this is a good agreement. so there was a demonstration of high appreciation. so with that background the agreement was reached and therefore what is required now is that both of us follow the agreement and implement what has been agreed. i think that is required. >> prime minister, thank you very much. please join me in thanking him. thank you again very much. 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