Only today remains this year.

The new coronavirus, which we hoped would be contained this year, is likely to enter the new year at the peak of its eighth wave.

This year began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the relationship between the LDP and the Unification Church highlighted by the shooting of Prime Minister Abe, and the Kishida administration's failure to take effective measures to prevent the destruction of our lives caused by high prices, while doubling military spending and forcing through "building a war-fighting nation" in conjunction with tax increases.

There are no national elections at the moment, but in the unified local elections, I would like to win my own city council election, as well as win progress in Osaka to stop casinos and to a prefectural government and assembly that is sympathetic to people's lives, and to make this a judgment on the Kishida administration that threatens our lives and peace.

It has been a peaceful year for my family.

〇 My eldest daughter is about to start working at the job she really wanted to do.

〇 My second daughter, who is an employee of a certain local government, has been working at her own pace in a new department for almost a year.

〇My wife, who obtained her license as a licensed psychologist last year, has expanded the scope of her work and has been stepping on the gas pedal, so it seems that the consequences are starting to come back to haunt her at the end of the year. I would like her to ease up on the gas pedal next year, but that probably won't happen.

〇My mother, who is now 92 years old, has been in a nursing home for about six years. Her body is gradually becoming less mobile and she is having more and more painful times, but she seems to be living peacefully.

〇And for me, this is a crucial year. I will do whatever it takes to win the city council election, and in the gubernatorial and prefectural assembly elections, I will give a harsh verdict to the Ishin Party's politics, and I will do my best to help elect a governor and prefectural assembly members who will put "COVID countermeasures before casinos" and "life before casinos."

I hope everyone has a happy new year.

Good morning, everyone.