Today, together with the ministers, I visited Ise Jingu. As I walked through the sacred grounds enveloped by the crisp air, the clear flow of the river, and the divine trees of the forest, I prayed for the peace of the nation and the prosperity of the Imperial Family, starting with the Outer Shrine and then the Inner Shrine. The shrine has a history of over 1300 years, undergoing the Shikinen Sengu, which involves rebuilding every 20 years. It is precisely because we renew it that it becomes eternal. It is to protect it that we do not fear challenges. In the New Year press conference after the visit, I expressed my determination and resolve to strengthen and enrich every corner of the Japanese archipelago and pass it on to the next generation. Thank you to everyone who waved and encouraged me at the shrine, along the roads, and in the train stations. I am filled with gratitude for the cheers from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well. With the vow made in Ise, where the spirit of the Japanese people resides, I will do my utmost to ensure that this year becomes a year of hope for all citizens. Photo: Provided by the Cabinet Public Relations Office.