"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] A Lunar New Year Message from Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru

[Place]
[Date] January 28, 2025
[Source] Prime Minister's Office of Japan
[Notes] Provisional translation
[Full text]

I send my warmest greetings to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, and to the Overseas Chinese and Chinese community flourishing in Japan.

Last year, Japan's Noto Peninsula was hit by multiple disasters, with an earthquake striking on New Year's Day, followed by heavy rains causing damage in September. The Government of Japan is making all-out efforts as it presses forward with reconstruction assistance for the disaster-affected areas while making its greatest possible preparations against future disasters. I wish to express once again my deep appreciation for the generous support and donations we received from all around the world in response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters have struck various places around the globe, and I offer my wholehearted wishes for this year to be a better one, with recovery taking place at the earliest possible time.

As the international situation becomes increasingly severe and complex, Japan is promoting the maintenance and strengthening of the international order based on the rule of law and is engaging in dialogue and cooperation with other nations, with a view to overcoming division and confrontation in the international community.

I hope that this Year of the Snake is a year of tremendous progress for all of you. I wish all of you every happiness and also great prosperity in the year to come.

Ishiba Shigeru

Prime Minister of Japan