In my view, at this point, it is probably more important to foster a structural reform of mindset.

I think there is a sense of crisis.

The next five years are crucial. We have the second baby boomers who will remain in their 30s only another five years, so I am up against a time clock.

We’d like to play the role of bridging between China and the United States and playing the role of pragmatic balancer — to tell China there are ways to get out of this worsened relationship...

The party itself never officially endorsed or recommended him.

I have been told to tackle issues closely related to (everyday) life.

The government needs to support child-rearing families by distributing public funds fairly and equally.

We will look into the issue of expense-free childbirth broadly.

Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi said that he wanted the cabinet to approve the plan quickly and that he was determined to create a gender-equality society in which men and women can have dreams and expectations...