NAGATO, Yamaguchi -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid his respects at the grave of his father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, in this western Japan city on Aug. 13.

Accompanied by his wife Akie, Abe offered a prayer in front of his father's tomb in his home prefecture of Yamaguchi.

The prime minister then told the press, "I have reported (to my father) that I have achieved a victory in a national election at the beginning of the Reiwa era, and renewed my resolve that I must respond to the public mandate boldly."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, foreground, puts his hands together in front of the grave of his father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Aug. 13, 2019. His wife Akie is seen making a bow behind him. (Mainichi/Naoki Sugi)

With regard to his stated goal of amending the postwar Constitution, Abe described it as "the biggest agenda since the establishment of the Liberal Democratic Party," which he currently heads.

"It's about time to move ahead with full-fledged discussions on the Constitution in the Diet," he said.

On the previous day, Abe attended a memorial service marking the 32nd anniversary of the death of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, at Daionji temple in the town of Tabuse, also in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

He has been visiting the prefecture since Aug. 12 and is scheduled to stay there until Aug. 14, making courtesy calls on his local supporters among other activities.

(Japanese original by Naoki Sugi, Political News Department)