そして現地では自衛隊、消防、警察、役所の皆さん、またボランティアの皆さんと一緒に被災者の方々も悲しみをこらえながら、捜索活動、そして避難所の運営に黙々と汗を流しておられた。
In an affected area, I saw members of the Self-Defense Forces, fire stations, the police, local government staff, and volunteers. Together with these people, victims were engaged in searching for missing people and managing the shelters. They were working in silence while holding back their tears.
そしてその日、遅い時間にやっと着いたある町の漁協の組合長さんは「安倍さん、よく来てくれたね、ありがとう」こう言って明るく迎えてくれました。
On the next day, we reached another town at a late hour. There I saw a chief of a fishermen’s union. “Mr. Abe, a warm welcome to you. Thank you for coming.” In this way, he welcomed me cheerfully.
でもその後、こう続けられた。「今朝やっと女房の葬儀を終えたんだよ。でも俺は負けないよ。絶対に街を復活させるからね。安倍さんも頑張れよ。」
Then, he said: “This morning, I finally observed my wife’s funeral service. I shall not be defeated. We will revive this town by all means. Mr. Abe, I wish you good luck, too.”
この力強さと、雄々しさに私たちは圧倒される思いでした。その時から遡ること4年前、第一次安倍政権はたった1年で幕を閉じました。
I felt overwhelmed by his vitality and courage. Four years before then, the first Abe administration came to an end only one year after its inauguration.
ご承知のように、私は潰瘍性大腸炎という腸の難病と共に人生を歩んできたのですが、私の経験不足、そして政権運営の拙さから選挙で大敗し、そして政権は行き詰まり、この持病が悪化し、内閣改造直後に辞任を余儀なくされました。
As you may know, I have a chronic disease, ulcerative colitis, which is an intractable disease. Because of my lack of experience and poor ability to manage the cabinet, I experienced a crushing defeat in the general election. This led my regime to a deadlock and the worsening of my chronic disease. As a result, I was obliged to resign as prime minister shortly after reshuffling my cabinet.
政権を投げ出した、日本中から厳しく批判されました。私の責任です。私の政治家としての自信や誇りは砕け散ってしまった、もう安倍晋三は終わった。みんなそう思ったんです。
I was severely criticized by people across the country for having thrown out the regime. It was all my responsibility. My pride and confidence as a politician were crushed. Everybody thought that Abe Shinzo’s career as a politician was ended.
