The highest priorities which we set forth - recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the fight against the nuclear accident, and economic revival. The comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems that I took on, putting my political career on the line. Political and administrative reform, including reducing the number of Diet members. While all of these are still only half complete, I believe we moved steadily forward, one step at a time.

Counting once more, I found that since taking office, I have met with 81 foreign heads of state and government over a total of 131 summit meetings. In particular, the seven meetings I had with President Barack Obama of the United States were memorable for me as they deepened the Japan-U.S. alliance. I also developed our economic diplomacy through the launching of economic partnership negotiations with a wide range of regions and other endeavors.

I would like for the next administration to move forward at least to some extent on these domestic and international issues confronting national policy. That is my earnest wish.

Above all, I would like the next administration to carry the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems through to the end, on the basis of the discussions of the National Council. As another point, I would like them to realize without fail during the next ordinary Diet session a reduction in the number of Diet members, as this is something that was pledged at the Party Leaders' Debate, in view of the public. These are my thoughts on those matters.

Recently, I have been thinking about the curious nature of the kizuna - the bonds of friendship - that bind people together. I came to shoulder the weighty responsibility of being the prime minister after a number of unexpected quirks of fate all came together. I met a great many people all over the country and was able to form connections with them. All of the Diet members, whether in the ruling or opposition parties. The Cabinet ministers and the three political-level appointees (the ministers, the senior vice ministers, and the parliamentary secretaries). All the many office personnel working behind the scenes. I carried out my day-to-day duties through the help of a great many people.

Fulfilling the role of "safeguarding the daily lives of the people" as the person responsible for the government means, in my view, that I have a connection with all the Japanese people in spirit, even though I may never have the pleasure of meeting them face to face. In that sense, these were 482 days in which I was supported by each individual in the public.

Until the general resignation of the Cabinet on the 26th, I will continue to fulfill my duties with proper vigilance, including in the area of crisis management. With a flood of emotions, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the people who so kindly supported me until now.

I extend my sincere appreciation to all of you.

* This is the final delivery of "Prime Minister Noda's Blog." Thank you very much for reading it.

What will be required of us going forward is for us also to put stress on countermeasures to aging infrastructure and other aspects of its "operation and maintenance" and, after establishing a priority order through careful investigations, push forward with investments necessary truly to protect life. This is of an entirely different nature from a policy of continuing to construct new roads and facilities and continuing to increase public works giving only gross amounts, under the pretext of a plan to "make the nation's infrastructure more resilient."

Over the past twenty years since the bursting of the economic bubble, Japan continued its pork-barrel spending in the form of wasteful public works, but through that the Japanese economy did not regain its dynamism. Instead, only the national debt expanded. We must not repeat such folly.

To use the Bank of Japan as if it were a magic "money mallet" [traditionally used by the god of wealth] to build up debt and transfer it over to public works is also entirely absurd. Regrettably, there is no "magic wand" that will make the problems facing the Japanese economy all disappear in an instant. What I consider to be most important is to soundly advance steady measures in which we ascertain new growth areas that will generate demand and plant seeds in those areas, then nurture them to become great.

On the 1st, North Korea announced that it would once again launch a missile that it claims is a "man-made satellite." In response, I convened a meeting of the relevant Cabinet ministers that night at very short notice and gave instructions to (1) take all possible measures to gather and analyze information, (2) strongly urge North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from conducting the launch, in coordination with countries concerned, and (3) take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of the Japanese people, including fully preparing for contingencies.

We must not allow a vacuum to form in our foreign and security policy even if the House of Representatives has been dissolved. A situation has emerged in which we feel that very acutely. It is utterly meaningless merely to repeat strong statements. We will convey accurate information to the public in a swift manner and decisively safeguard the peace of mind and the safety of the Japanese people. That sums up our approach.

I believe that the person in the position of managing the steering of the nation must be more than anything else a "realist." That person must move forward on the things that must be done in a solemn manner, consistently taking a broad perspective. He must resolutely state the things that should be said in a level-headed manner. I have pushed forward consistent measures on the basis of that overriding principle. In the future, I will continue to advance a pragmatic foreign and security policy as a peaceful nation, while taking all possible crisis management measures.

Will we push the reforms that have been advanced until now even farther forward, or will we turn back? The critical moment at which we will decide Japan's future course is imminent.

Whether we look at social security, economic policy, energy policy, foreign and security policy, or political reform, in each of these areas, the differences between the policies of the Noda Cabinet and the policies pursued by "old politics" are clear.

There are some forces that present a case for extreme arguments like abolishing the minimum wage system or other types of "almighty market" fundamentalism. There are also groups with alliances that seem to have linked together completely different thinking regarding important policy areas in a highly strained manner. I believe it is impossible to delegate the steering of this country to these groups.

Through the recent change of government, the shape of social security has been completely transformed. We have prevented the disintegration of medical settings, reduced the number of "nursing care refugees,"(*1) and outlined a course forward for the issue of "disappearing pensions."(*2) In keeping with the philosophy of "children first," we also boldly expanded support for children and child-rearing.

Through economic policies that placed foremost emphasis on creating employment, we also carved out a path to break away from deflation.

We also have been working to move forward finally towards reducing the number of Diet members and other political reforms through what I introduced during the Party Leaders' Debate.

I will continue to dedicate myself body and soul to appealing for as many people as possible to support the record of achievements of the Noda Cabinet, which has advanced this kind of pragmatic reform in a down-to-earth manner, and the direction of the policies we wish to advance in the future.

(*1) People unable to receive nursing care at either a facility or their homes.

(*2) An issue in which computerization and other issues led to difficulties in matching some contributors with their historical pension contributions in full.

The following day, the 24th, in the city of Tama in Tokyo I visited a group home for people with dementia as well as a household where a person receives at-home medical care. Currently, one in ten elderly persons over the age of 65 has dementia, and it is said that ten years from now when the baby boomers pass 75 years of age, the percentage will be 50% greater. We must hurry to prepare ways of dealing with this situation that are comfortably accessible. In September, the government compiled comprehensive measures known as the "Orange Plan." These will steadily enter into concrete form from the next fiscal year. I also perceived very tangibly the enthusiasm and tenacity of the staff. Reform in the area of treatment is also among the issues we face.

I stood at curbside in front of a train station in Tama and gave a political speech, which is something I hadn't done in quite some time. Since taking office as Prime Minister, one of the things I have felt to be the most inconvenient is that I have become unable to stand on a street corner and make speeches as I please. For me, who for 25 years held a microphone for three hours every morning in Funabashi appealing to the passersby, I feel that I came back to my roots in spirit. I very much wish to appeal to the public in as many places as possible all around the country.

Today (the 27th), with regard to the budget related to reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake, which has been the subject of various criticisms, based on a "new review" of government programs as well as discussions in the Diet, we decided on a concrete policy that will in the future be concentrated on reconstruction and assistance for people's lives in the affected areas while rigorously narrowing down budget items that are outside the disaster areas. Moreover, concerning the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems, we decided upon the members of the "National Council on Social Security System Reform," which will deliberate remaining issues in this area. We have also just finished confirming our basic policy for approaching international negotiations on climate change. It has also been decided that the second round of Japan-North Korea intergovernmental consultations will be held on December 5th and 6th in Beijing. The tasks that must be done by the government do not allow for any gaps. I will continue to move forward in these areas in a solemn manner.

The DPJ has released its new Manifesto. It incorporates reflections on, and lessons learned from, all that has happened thus far and serves as a foundation for steadily advancing pragmatic policies. With this new Manifesto in hand and together with like-minded people sharing a common resolve, I am determined to advance the reforms that could never have taken place in the days before the change of government.