Following is a provisional translation of the policy speech delivered by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to an extraordinary Diet session that opened Thursday for a 72-day session.
On the occasion of the opening of the 153rd session of the Diet, I would like to focus in my policy speech on the number of issues of urgency that currently face us and I would like to ask for the understanding and cooperation of all the people of Japan in tackling these issues.
The series of terrorist attacks in the United States are not only an attack on the United States; indeed, they represent a despicable attack on all of humankind. On my recent visit to the United States I saw with my own eyes the devastating scars of those acts of terrorism and I was filled once again with overwhelming indignation at these appallingly inhumane acts of violence. At the same time my heart goes out to the people of the United States and to all those who have suffered from the attacks.