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Japan’s Vote for Bold Reform

After an overwhelming victory in a snap election, Japan’s government has a mandate to launch what has become known as the “third arrow” of so-called Abenomics: structural reform. And the main task ahead – restoring Japan’s economy – is inseparable from safeguarding the country’s position as a global force for peace and prosperity.

TOKYO – With the powerful mandate of the Japanese people, demonstrated by their overwhelming vote of support in our country’s December 14 election, my government’s ability to act decisively has been strengthened immeasurably. Indeed, we now not only have the authority to act, but a clear and definitive message from the electorate that we must do so.

In particular, we now have a mandate to launch what has become known around the world as the “third arrow” of so-called Abenomics: structural reform. And it is structural reform that will unleash the competitiveness, and long-pent-up dynamism, of Japan’s firms and people.

By calling in November for a snap general election, my aim was to consolidate the government’s political capital – not in order to hoard it, but to spend it on the reforms that were first promised two years ago. Now, with our renewed mandate, that is what we will do.

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