Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine (engl.)

[АНАТОЛИЙ ВАДИМОВИЧ СОЛНЦЕВ]

Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 182 (March 31, 2005)
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[Lion Heart — Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
 (Provisional Translation)


Visit to Japan by President Jacques Chirac of France


Junichiro Koizumi here.

On March 26, last Saturday, I visited Genkai Island where great
damage was caused by the recent earthquake off the western coast of
Fukuoka. I spoke with the islanders who had been evacuated to
listen to them and give them my words of encouragement.

I saw at Genkai Island a devastating picture of landslides,
cracked quaysides and many collapsed houses that had once stood on
hillsides. As I toured the vicinity, I was struck by the magnitude
of the damage. Together with the prefectural and municipal
governments, we will make every effort to provide restoration and
reconstruction assistance in order that those affected by the
disaster can return to their everyday lives without delay with
peace of mind.

Another big earthquake has occurred off the coast of Sumatra.
The Government of Japan immediately dispatched a Japan Disaster
Relief Team to the affected region. Japan will seek to extend
promptly a helping hand responding to requests from affected
regions.

March 25 heralded the start of the Exposition of Global Harmony
(2005 World Exposition), under the theme "Nature's Wisdom."
I attended the opening ceremony and enjoyed a great variety of
events, from music, ballet and drum performances to dance
performances by robots. As unfortunately I had no time to take a
tour around the site to enjoy the various exhibits, I am looking
forward to visiting again. I am sure that one day is not enough to
fully take in all the attractions.

I heard that some complaints had been made that homemade food could
not be brought into the Exposition site, not even a rice ball,
due to a regulation prohibiting people bringing in their own lunch
boxes and drinks. Although this regulation was introduced as a
measure to prevent food poisoning and to counter terrorism, I gave
instructions for it to be speedily reconsidered and for a more
visitor-friendly approach to be taken.

As early as today, the Secretariat will announce a new measure
allowing lunch boxes prepared and packed at home to be carried into
the site.

There may still be some foods and beverages that will be restricted
for safety reasons and as counterterrorism measures. I ask for your
understanding and cooperation in this regard.

The first foreign Head of State to visit the Exposition was
President Jacques Chirac of France. President Chirac is a
self-confessed fan of everything Japanese and he also attended the
Grand Sumo Spring Tournament. On Sunday, March 27, we held a summit
meeting and discussed a wide range of themes, including United
Nations reform and the international situation.

On UN reform, I was heartily encouraged by President Chirac's full
support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the
Security Council. Japan and France already enjoy good relations in
a variety of areas, including politics, economy and culture, and we
affirmed that we will make every effort to further strengthen these
ties.

On Monday, Mr. Richard Gere visited my office. He was in every way
a true film star. He is currently appearing in the film
"Shall we Dance?" which is based on a Japanese film of the same
name. I have already seen the Japanese version, and I am greatly
looking forward to seeing the remake at a cinema.

This week we have reached the peak of activities among members of
the ruling parties to work on the bills on the privatization of the
postal services, which are at the heart of reforms. Although there
are still strong voices of opposition, I will make every effort in
this coordination process so that the bills can be compiled in line
with the Basic Policy on the Privatization of the Postal Services.


* Profile of the Prime Minister
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiprofile/index_e.html

* 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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[What's up around the Prime Minister]

- The Global Warming Prevention Headquarters (March 29, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/29ondanka_e.html
  Prime Minister Koizumi said that he would intend for Japan to
  take the lead in advancing efforts to achieve the reduction
  targets.

- The United Nations Youth Ambassadors Pay Courtesy Call on
  Prime Minister (March 28, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/28young_e.html
  Prime Minister Koizumi received a courtesy call from the Youth
  Ambassadors who participated in the campaign of supporting
  activities to prevent drug abuse in developing countries.

- Japan-France Summit Meeting (March 27, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/27french_e.html
  Prime Minister Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Jacques Chirac,
  the President of the French Republic.

- Prime Minister Visits the Disaster Site of the Earthquake
  off the Western Coast of Fukuoka (March 26, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/26fukuoka_e.html
  Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his intention to give his best
  efforts for the restoration of the region.

- Members of the Joint Support Committee for Japan-ROK Joint
  History Research Pays Courtesy Call on Prime Minister
 (March 25, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/25nikkan_e.html
  Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude
  for the members' efforts and his intension to further develop
  the Japan-ROK relations.

- Prime Minister Attend the Opening Ceremony of the Exposition of
  Global Harmony (2005 World Exposition) (March 24, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/03/24tikyuuhaku_e.html
  In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi expected that the
  exposition would mark the starting point to think about a way for
  humankind and nature to coexist into the future.

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[Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine]

- Click here to make comments on this e-mail magazine
 http://www.mmz.kantei.go.jp/inq/inq_top_e.pl?INQCD=CO050331ki

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General Editor : Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Chief Editor : Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiken Sugiura
Publication  : Cabinet Public Relations Office
               1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan

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Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 175 (February 10, 2005)
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[Lion Heart — Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
 (Provisional Translation)


Northern Territories Day


Junichiro Koizumi here.

A century and a half ago on February 7, 1855, Japan and Russia
signed the Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Delimitation (also
known as the Shimoda Treaty).

In December 1854, immediately before the signing of this treaty,
Japan was struck by the Ansei Tokai and Nankai Earthquakes. While
Hamaguchi Goryo had managed to save the people of his village in
Wakayama from the tsunami that followed the earthquake by setting
his rice field on fire, a story which I related in a previous issue,
the destructive force of the tsunami was widespread, reaching
the Izu Peninsula, where it also inflicted great damage, claiming
the lives of 100 people.

During this time of disaster, a Russian man rescued those who had
been caught and washed away in the tsunami and treated the injured
in Shimoda. That person was Admiral Efimii Vasil'evich Putyatin who
had traveled to Japan as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Representative of Russia on a mission to negotiate a treaty of
trade and commerce with Japan. The negotiations to conclude the
treaty took place with Kawaji Toshiakira from the Japanese
Shogunate.

The great tsunami did not spare Admiral Putyatin's flagship the
Diana, which was anchored in Shimoda Bay at the time of the
disaster and was gravely damaged. Following the tsunami, the Diana
headed for the port of Heda in the west of Izu for repair, but sank
in rough seas on the way. The crew members were rescued by the
local people and Admiral Putyatin safely returned to Russia on
a new ship built by the Japanese Shogunate. The Russian government
was greatly appreciative of this gesture by the Japanese Shogunate.

Negotiations between the two countries went ahead despite the
damage the earthquakes and tsunami had inflicted on Japan. These
efforts led to the signing of the Treaty of Commerce, Navigation
and Delimitation between Japan and Russia, opening the way for
trade between the two countries. The treaty delineated the border
between Japan and Russia as lying between Etorofu Island and Urup
Island, stipulating the Four Northern Islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri,
Shikotan and Habomai Islands as Japanese territory.

In Japan, February 7 is designated as "Northern Territories Day"
and various events are conducted across the country each year.

I had planned to attend the National Rally to Demand the Return of
the Northern Territories held in Kudan Kaikan on February 7, but
could not as I was laid low with a cold.

I had been feeling a little under the weather since last week.
If I left any of you concerned, let me reassure you that I have
recovered and feel well again to tackle the mounting issues,
both domestic and overseas, with verve and vigor.


* Profile of the Prime Minister
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiprofile/index_e.html

* 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.

=======================================================
[What's up around the Prime Minister]

- The 17th Meeting of the Council of Overseas Economic
  Cooperation-Related Ministers  (February 3, 2005)
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/02/03taigai_e.html
  At the meeting, a report was given on the assistance for damages
  caused by the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean,
  reconstruction assistance to Iraq, the New Medium-Term Policy on
  ODA and the Country Assistance Plan for Pakistan.

=======================================================
[Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine]

- Click here to make comments on this e-mail magazine
 http://www.mmz.kantei.go.jp/inq/inq_top_e.pl?INQCD=CO050210ho

- Subscription and cancellation of this e-mail magazine
 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/m-magazine/

General Editor : Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Chief Editor : Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiken Sugiura
Publication  : Cabinet Public Relations Office
               1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan

[АНАТОЛИЙ ВАДИМОВИЧ СОЛНЦЕВ]

There is a passage in the Analects of Confucius that says,
"The wise man is in harmony with other people and is not easily
compromised; the man without virtue is easily compromised and not
in harmony with other people." The best kind of person is the one
who is capable of accommodating others, but who manages not to lose
a sense of self. This is a person who is neither unduly led by
other people, nor attempts to flatter others with obsequies.
A person without virtue, on the other hand, is someone who makes no
attempt to accommodate other people, even those with matching views.
I wish everyone embarking on a new stage in their lives to be
"in harmony" with others who hold different views, without
forgetting to think independently about what it is that needs to be
done.@   


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Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 183 (April 7, 2005)
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[Lion Heart — Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
 (Provisional Translation) 

[АНАТОЛИЙ ВАДИМОВИЧ СОЛНЦЕВ]

Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 186 (April 28 - May 5, 2005)
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* Next issue will be delivered on May 12, 2005

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


Submission of bills related to the privatization of the postal
services to the Diet


Junichiro Koizumi here.

On April 25, this Monday, more than 500 people were either injured
or killed in a catastrophic train accident involving a JR West
train in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. I extend my heartfelt
condolences to the victims and their bereaved families.

Railroad companies are entrusted with the lives of many passengers.
An in-depth study to identify the cause of the accident will be
carried out. I have given instructions that the companies concerned
should take all possible safety measures to prevent such an
accident from reoccurring.

Yesterday, the Cabinet approved the bills related to the
privatization of the postal services and they were submitted to the
Diet. The bills call for the postal services to be privatized in
two years time, beginning in April 2007, into four separate
companies-"postal services company," "over-the-counter services
network company," "postal savings bank," and "postal life insurance
company"-and for privatization to be fully realized by April 2017.
Postal networks in under-populated areas will be maintained.

Four years ago, before my appointment as prime minister, people
laughed off the idea of privatization of the postal services as
being highly unlikely. I am sure that none of the political parties,
nor the readers of this e-mail magazine even imagined that the
bills related to the privatization of the postal services would
actually be compiled and submitted to the Diet.

April 26 marked four full years since the inauguration of the
Koizumi Cabinet. There are currently a plethora of issues in
addition to postal services, both in domestic and foreign affairs.
Some say that there are more important matters that I should be
paying attention to instead of postal privatization. It does not
necessarily follow however, that other issues will be resolved if
postal privatization is not realized. It is the responsibility of
the Koizumi Cabinet to see to it that other important issues are
tackled side by side with the achievement of postal privatization.

>From tomorrow, April 29, Japan will enter the Golden Week holiday
period. I imagine that the readers of this e-mail magazine will be
passing the holidays in various ways-heading off to holiday resorts,
recharging their batteries, or perhaps working hard at their jobs.
I will be visiting India, Pakistan, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
during Golden Week. After the holidays, I will also be making a
trip to Russia. There seems to be no let-up in my schedule.

Thursday next week, May 5, is Children's Day in Japan. My office is
decorated with traditional dolls for the Boy's Festival, and carp
streamers are flying proudly at the entrance to the building. While
praying for the sound growth of our children, I will continue to
advance reforms.

[АНАТОЛИЙ ВАДИМОВИЧ СОЛНЦЕВ]

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Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 189 (May 26, 2005)
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[Lion Heart — Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
 (Provisional Translation)


Restoration of public safety and "Kabutomushi exchange"


Junichiro Koizumi here.

Last Thursday night, although very briefly, I had a chance to visit
and take a look around the Kabukicho district in Shinjuku.

I suspect that for a good number of people the word Kabukicho
conjures up images of a shady district that is home to many illegal
foreign workers or a hotbed of organized crime and gangs.

Discontented with such a negative image and determined to
revitalize Kabukicho as a place where residents and visitors alike
may happily go about their business without fear, measures were
launched to create a safe district. The Shinjuku ward office,
police force, fire department and immigration office are
cooperating to accomplish this endeavor. For our part, the national
government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are fully
supporting the efforts.

Storeowners in the shopping district as well as the residents of
Kabukicho have risen to the challenge of making their district
a better place, without merely relying on the police force or
government to ensure the area's safety. The creation of a safe
place to live is now underway through concerted efforts of the
residents and the administration.

Everyone concerned is now working together to deal once and for all
with various nuisance acts, crack down on illegal businesses that
are serving as financial sources to gangs, prevent illegal parking,
and formulate fire prevention and safety measures for
multiple-tenant buildings.

Ideally, I would like to see Kabukicho remain as bustling and
vibrant as it is now, while simultaneously transforming itself into
a safe district.

Yesterday, I met with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi who was visiting Japan, and over lunch we discussed further
developing the friendly relationship between our two countries.
I shared with him the story about a Japanese city and its Malaysian
twin city, where the rhinoceros beetle, or "kabutomushi," is a key
factor in their relationship.

The two cities are Tamura City in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan and
Sungai Besar in Selangor in Malaysia. Tamura City, a city born from
a merger of several towns this March, has been promoting its
beetles since when it was still known as Tokiwa Town. The city
dispatched a local elementary school student as a "Goodwill Beetle
Ambassador" to Malaysia, where the largest beetles in Asia are
found. This is how the twin cities came to be.

Since then, through dispatches of Goodwill Beetle Ambassadors and
homestays, these twin cities have been actively conducting youth
exchanges.

At this meeting, we concluded a basic agreement for the economic
partnership agreement between Japan and Malaysia. In the future,
I wish to expand our friendly and cooperative relations not only
for free trade but also in various areas including education and
human resources development through these kinds of youth exchanges.

[АНАТОЛИЙ ВАДИМОВИЧ СОЛНЦЕВ]

Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 191 (June 9, 2005)
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[Lion Heart — Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
 (Provisional Translation)


Japan Day at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi


Junichiro Koizumi here.

This Monday, June 6, I attended the commemorative ceremony for
Japan Day at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi.

This wonderful ceremony was held in the presence of His Imperial
Highness The Crown Prince, the Honorary President of the exposition.
I very much enjoyed listening to the enthusiastic and heartfelt
voices of the children's chorus which was produced by Mr. Sadao
Watanabe, as well as watching the dynamic performance by the
cheerleaders and listening to young people give a "gundoku" group
poetry recitation, among other performances.

After the ceremony, I had a little time to look at the remains of
the Yukagir Mammoth displayed in the Global House and visit several
pavilions including the Government of Japan's Pavilion Nagakute and
Pavilion Seto.

This was my third visit to the Expo site, following the
groundbreaking ceremony and the opening ceremony. Since I did not
have the opportunity to look around on my previous two visits,
I was looking forward to seeing more this time. Indeed, the
exposition did not disappoint; I was amazed beyond expectations.

My visit was on a weekday, and I saw elementary and junior high
school students at the Expo site. This made me think that learning
need not be confined to a classroom. Coming to a place like the
World Exposition and seeing and feeling for yourself the sounds and
sights of other countries and awe-inspiring technologies is truly a
valuable learning experience.

As the temperature rises, I would like the requests of the visitors
to be taken into careful consideration so that they may enjoy the
exposition even under the blazing summer sun. In this way the Expo
will be an experience that everyone enjoys and  will want to repeat.

At the Diet, deliberations are continuing with regard to the
privatization of the postal services. During the deliberations, one
Diet member criticized me by calling me "Don Quixote," but as it
happens I have a great love for Don Quixote.

"To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe...
to run where the brave dare not go."

Whether it is the privatization of the postal services, social
security or the reform package of the three issues on subsidy,
local allocation tax and transfer of tax sources, people agree to
the general principle but disagree once they get down to the
details. What the Koizumi Cabinet is here to do is to delve into
the details even of things that face opposition and in so doing
advance reform.

The reforms are now approaching their ultimate targets. I will
continue to have thorough discussions and advance reforms.

Last night, the Japanese national soccer team ensured its spot in
the 2006 World Cup. This is very happy news. I hope the team will
work on their minds and bodies as well as further improve their
skills and teamwork for many more exciting matches to come.