Abe focuses on economy and women’s issues

Published April 28, 2015
Cambridge: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) arrives at the John F. Kennedy School of Government forum on Monday. Abe gave brief remarks and took student questions at Harvard school of government.—AP
Cambridge: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) arrives at the John F. Kennedy School of Government forum on Monday. Abe gave brief remarks and took student questions at Harvard school of government.—AP

CAMBRIDGE: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday his administration is trying to improve the status of women in his country as it also seeks to protect women’s rights on the international stage.

Speaking during a brief appearance at Harvard University on Monday morning, he also extended condolences to Nepal after a weekend earthquake killed thousands, saying that Japan has already deployed emergency relief units and the island nation will “spare no effort” to support Nepal’s recovery.

Abe, who is set to meet with President Obama and address Congress as part of a weeklong to the US that kicked off in Boston, focused much of his prepared remarks on his efforts to pull Japan out of prolonged deflation.

“I will be fearless going forward because there is in Japan among its people a strong and growing desire to pursue reforms,”

Abe said through a translator.“My role is to lead the nation to think of itself again as the Little Engine That Could”.

Abe stressed that a “stronger and more reliable” Japan is important to US interests as he touched on economic and government reforms such as encouraging more foreign investment and greater participation of women in the workforce and politics in Japan.

But one of the more pointed moments came during the question-and-answer session, when a Harvard student asked why the prime minister continues to “deny” Japan’s role in creating a system of sexual slavery during World War II.

Abe, through a translator, said Japan is making “various efforts” to provide “realistic relief” to the victims, without elaborating.

He also said the nation is taking a leading role in international women’s human rights, giving millions of dollars to the United Nation’s efforts in that arena.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...