We Are Tomodachi Summer 2017

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16In the one year since I chaired the Ise-Shima Summit, we have witnessed the emergence of new leaders on the heels of presidential elections in the U.S. and France, and referendums in the U.K. and Italy. With these processes laying bare doubts over free trade and divisions in society, the world closely watched the choices made by the people in each country.Security threats and determined responseMeanwhile, security threats that endanger growth and prosperity are growing day by day. Despite stern warnings from the international community, North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons and missiles, and has launched more than 30 ballistic missiles since last year. On May 14, North Korea launched a missile reaching an altitude of over 2,000 kilometers. It was launched on an extremely high trajectory. If launched on an ordinary trajectory, tentative estimates suggest that it could have flown to the mid-Pacific in the East, to central Eurasia in the West, or to any part of the South China Sea in the South. The threat now extends beyond Northeast Asia. Another concern posed by North Korea is advances in its intercontinental ballistic missile technologies.To solve these problems, we must strengthen our international solidarity with the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, as well as build unity with China and Russia.Coupled with these issues, terrorism is spreading around the world, and ISIL’s maneuverings continue. Cyberterrorism is also inflicting greater harm across borders. We must not allow any delay in forming international solidarity against such threats.The importance of free trade and three factors for making its importance understoodWe are approaching the 10-year mark since the start of the global financial crisis, the Lehman collapse. Many countries and regions have made tenacious efforts to ride out the crisis and ensure a growth path. Looking at things globally, however, much remains to be done on issues such as youth unemployment, wage levels and productivity.The key to overcoming these challenges is free trade. While growth in trade used to exceed economic growth, this has not been the case in the last several years. Free trade allows people to fully demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity, and to extend the fruits of their efforts beyond borders to enrich societies around the world.Facing free trade, however, is strong criticism in many corners of the world. I believe there are three factors that are crucial to gaining people’s understanding on free trade.1) To take a coordinated approach, covering policies that spread the fruits of free trade within one’s country.Since taking office at the end of 2012, I have kept results as a motto. In Japan, we have realized GDP growth, more jobs, and increased tax revenues which we have invested into areas such as social security and education. Positive GDP growth was posted for five straight quarters. The annualized growth rate of GDP for the first quarter of this year broke 2%. There are 1.85 million more jobs, over 80% of which have gone to women. Having an unemployment rate of 2.8%, we are nearly at full employment. Our achievements continue. The Gini coefficient after income redistribution is also turning downward. We also began providing scholarships to young people that require no repayment.Company revenues increased by JPY 22 trillion (USD 196 billion) over the past four years. All-out efforts are being made to circulate the fruits of growth nationwide by urging companies to increase wages, and encouraging large companies to make fairer dealings with small-to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Furthermore, reforms are promoted with appropriate Full text: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/welcoming-new-friends-and-further-solidarity-to-the-g7_us_5926021ee4b0265790f4de84?4cContributed to the Huffington Post on May 24, 2017Prime Minister Abe: Welcoming New Friends and Further Solidarity to the G7