The next five years are crucial. We have the second baby boomers who will remain in their 30s only another five years, so I am up against a time clock.

We will look into the issue of expense-free childbirth broadly.

The party itself never officially endorsed or recommended him.

We'd like to play the role of bridging between China and the United States and playing the role of pragmatic balancer -- to tell China there are ways to get out of this worsened relationship with the United States.

Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi said that he wanted the cabinet to approve the plan quickly and that he was determined to create a gender-equality society in which men and women can have dreams and expectations by fully exercising their individuality and abilities.

I have been told to tackle issues closely related to (everyday) life.