“Countless human resources were fostered in the new Meiji Era and they became the driving force for the rapid modernization of Japan, at a time when the country was being threatened by the technologically superior nations of the West in what could be deemed a “national crisis.”
Now, Japan is once again faced with an urgent issue that should be called a “national” crisis; a rapidly aging society and decreasing birthrate.
However, this obstacle, too, can surely be overcome. Much like our predecessors in the Meiji Era, we will again create opportunities for all Japanese people and thereby surely surmount the issue of the rapidly aging society and decreasing birthrate. Now is precisely the time for us to create a new Japan.
My fellow honorable members of the Diet, let us work together to create a new era, in which all Japanese people are able to realize their full potential, whether they are female or male, are young or old, or have disabilities or intractable illnesses”
-Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Message to the Diet and Honorary /hag/lord, 2018
