i have something i can tell you now. it was about 20 years ago, the nations for agriculture were going numb. it and opposed to opening japan's agricultural market. i even joined in front of the parliament. however, japan's agriculture has gone into decline over these last 20 years. the average age of our farmers has gone up by 10 years. now -- and is now more than 66

years old. japan's agriculture is, in order for it to survive, it has to change now. we have bridging reforms towards agriculture policy that's been in place for decades. we also bringing sweeping reform to our agricultural properties. that has not changed in 60 long years.

government in japan is now fully in line with global turnout. because we made it stronger rock solid relations are being brought in sectors as medicine and energy and i spearheaded our deep appreciation and determined to do whatever it takes. we are changing. some of our old habits to empower women.

to empower women so they can get more actively engaged in all walks of life. in short, japan is right in the middle of a quantum leap. my dear members of the congress , please do come and see the new japan. we have regained our spirit and our sense of speed. japan will not run away from

any reforms. we keep our eyes only on the road ahead and push forward with reform. there is no time and there is no doubt about it whatsoever. my dear colleagues the peace and security of the post war world was not possible without american leadership. looking back it make me happy all the time that japan of

years past made the right decision. as i told you at the outset citing my grandfather, that decision was to choose a path. that's the path for japan to ally its term with the u.s. and to go forward as a member together with the u.s. and other like-minded democracies, we want the cold war -- we won the cold war. . that's the past. that made japan grow and prosper and even today there is

no -- my dear colleagues, we support the u.s. in order to enhance the peace and security of the asia pacific region and i will state clearly we will support the u.s. efforts first, last and throughout. japan has deepened its strategic relations with india.

we are enhancing our cooperation with the countries of the republic of korea. adding those partners to the central pillar, that is the u.s.-japan alliance. our alliance -- now, japan will provide up to $2.8 billion to help improve u.s. bases in guam which will gain strategic significance even more in the future.

the state of asian waters, let me underscore here my three principles. first, states shall make their claim based on international law. second they shall not use force or coercion to drive their claim. and third to settle disputes any disputes, they shall do so by peaceful means. we must make the vast seas

searching from the pacific -- starting from the pacific to the indian oceans, seas of peace and freedom. we all follow the rule of law. for this very reason, we must for theify the u.s.-japan -- we must for theify the u.s.-japan -- fortify the u.s.-japan alliance. that is our responsibility. now, let me tell you in japan we are working hard to enhance the foundation of our security. once in place, japan will be

much more able to provide a response for all levels of classes. these companies between the u.s. military and japan defense forces ever stronger and the alliance still more solid providing credible deterrence for the peace in the region. the form is the first of its kind and a fitting one in our post-war history. we will achieve this by this coming summer.

now, i have something to share with you. the day before yesterday secretaries kerry and carter met our foreign minister and defense minister pour consultations. as a result we now have a new framework, a framework to better put together the forces of the u.s. and japan a framework that is in line with the legislative attempts going on in japan. that is necessary to build peace more reliable peace in the region and that is namely the new defense cooperation

guidelines. yesterday president obama and i fully agreed on this significant of these guidelines. ladies and gentlemen we agreed on a document that is historic. in the early 1990's in the persian gulf japan's self-defense forces swept away sea mines for 10 years in the indian ocean. japanese self-defense forces

supported your operations to stop the flow of terrorists and arms. meanwhile, in cambodia iraq haiti and south sudan members of our self-defense forces provided humanitarian support and peacekeeping operations. the number to 50,000, based on this track record we are resolved to take yet more responsibility for the peace and stability in the world.