A funny thing happened a while before I came down here. I met Saint Peter several hours ago, and I wanted in but he told me, "Go home, young lady, you've got a lot of work to do before I can get you in." And I asked, "What work?" He said, "Living." So here I am.
But that's why I have never felt so good to be alive. To get a second chance to live the life I love is an absolute thrill, and I have never had this much energy since I wasn't diagnosed with the condition that made me sick all of a sudden. But I have been discharged from the hospital several hours ago, and I am here speaking with you all.
I want to say that there has never been a more humbling moment in my life, not only humbled by the extent of what has happened tonight. Even if it had been the cliffhanger that we were all expecting because of the voter improprieties, it still would have ended the same. But, you know, to have the support of this great country, I consider the trust you have in me as something important, and I will promise you that I will do all I can to help justify the faith you have in me to lead.
Earlier this evening, I spoke on the phone with Yuu Matsumi/Kuro Matsumi/Shana/Hisa Takei. She fought a great race and is someone that I have tons and tons of respect for. Now she pledged her cooperation in the transition that will take place, so I returned my cooperation. I also talked with our current prime minister, the Hon. Mami Tomoe...oh nice. Well, actually, it wasn't the cliffhanger we were expecting, so it all worked out, didn't it?
Anyway, as I was saying, both of them were gracious in helping me with this transition to my new role as Saimoe Prime Minister. All across Japan, from Tokyo to Osaka, from Fukuoka to Nara, from Nagano to Kagoshima, there are many people that I owe a lot—A LOT—of thanks to. I want to thank the Saki Party National Committee, those wonderful fans, nerds, geeks and mahjong buffs that made the campaign run; and in every prefecture, city, town and village, to all the volunteers who have helped us get to where we are, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks.
To the love of my life, Ryuuka Shimizudani, I love you more than you can imagine and I look forward to a strong partnership with you as my Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister. To my close friends, Izumi Nijou, Hiroko Funakubo and Sera Eguchi, thanks for your companionship and solidarity. We're gone through so many battles as a team, but now, we must work together to get Japan moving again.
To the students at Senriyama Girls' High School in Osaka City, thank you for your support and friendship. I will return home soon and I look forward to graduating from my wonderful alma mater at the top of my league.
To those who of your whose vote I have not won...I may not have won your vote tonight but I believe that the bonds we share are strong, our voices are shared, and I need your help and support, and I will also be your Saimoe Prime Minister.
A good friend of the outgoing head of state, the Goddess, Madoka Kaname, visited me several hours ago. She told me of this news and at first, I didn't know what to say. I remembered telling Ryuuka, "This was only a joke." At the time, I was only kidding when I said that I would get the Saimoe Prime Minister position. I didn't think such a position would exist. But there does exist such a position.
And such a position comes a lot of responsibilities as the Saimoe Prime Minister. Even though my role is primarily ceremonial, my duty is to represent this country and be the representative of everything this nation has to offer. As you know, we are home to the finest women in the world, and I happen to be a shining example of the femininity, the pureness that makes Japan special.
I am unafraid of what will lie ahead and I don't believe, for a second, that Japan is afraid of what will lie ahead. Everyone, we are going to do what needs to be done together. We're going to get Japan going again by putting more people to work, more people to school, and more people to answering their callings in life.
The fighting spirit of the Japanese people is a sight to behold, and we went through so much...several regional conflicts, two global conflicts, recessions, and a transformation from a war-torn state into one of the rising economies of the world. We are among the world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. And we rose into one of the giants through our fighting spirit and our never-say-die attitude. And it's time for us to move forward, onwards and upwards.
When I accepted your nomination for Saimoe Prime Minister...I asked for your prayers at that moment. Now I won't ask for them at this particular moment, but I will say that I would be very happy to have them in the days to come. For in 2013, the world will find out if Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which will be its first since the success that was the 1964 edition. As your leader, I plan to have mahjong parlors and clubs in every continent and every country, so that even five-year olds in Africa can learn how to riichi.
There will be other events that will come this year for Japan, but since my prediction skills in limited to mahjong, I cannot tell you what is to come, only to be ready for these events.
So, Japan, it is time to celebrate. Every city, every town, every village, every prefecture has made their decision. Their voice has been known, and I am the one that will lead this country. I plan to lead Japan with the belief that people should have the confidence in themselves to Saimoe now, and often.
Thank you, good night and take care of yourselves. God bless you all, and may God bless Japan.
-Toki Onjouji
11th Saimoe Prime Minister of Japan
National Olympic Stadium
Tokyo, Japan
November 3, 2012