persons  80 -0.6 CY 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18  56  %  Labor force participants (left scale)  5  0.8  -1.5  6  26 25  Labor force participation rate (right scale)  4  24  3  23  2  22  1  21  0  20  -1 CY 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18  19  Note: Figures for 2019 are January-July averages on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Before beginning my speech, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of the United States for the support and encouragement concerning the tragic Great East Japan Earthquake. The situation in the areas close to the earthquake epicenter, particularly coastal areas that were hit hard by the tsunami, is disastrous.