Prime Minister and LDP President Abe attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (Davos 2019) and gave a keynote speech titled "Toward a New Era of a 'Hope-Driven Economy'." The Prime Minister emphasized what has been achieved during his six years in office: an increase in Japan's labor force due to promoting participation by women and seniors, five consecutive years of wage growth, and a narrowing of the gap between the rich and the less affluent as seen in a decrease in the relative poverty rate for children, among other indicators. He asked for those in attendance to understand that it is possible for "an ageing country to grow as a 'hope-driven economy'."

<January 23 (Wednesday) Davos, Switzerland>