It is important to restore the nation's vitality by stacking up concrete reforms. The Cabinet's ability to implement these reforms will be tested.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga delivered his first policy speech after taking office to plenary sessions of both chambers of the Diet. He pledged to strike a balance between the economy and measures against the novel coronavirus, saying, "We will protect the lives and health of the people and restore the economy."
If the virus spreads again, the economy will inevitably stagnate. The government must increase testing capacity and establish a system to provide medical treatment appropriately.
The prime minister stressed that he will lead "a cabinet that will work for the people" and said he intends to eliminate vertical divisions in the administration and promote regulatory reforms. The prime minister has to set clear goals and produce tangible results.
As a priority policy, the prime minister put forward the digitization of public administration. In addition to spreading the use of My Number cards to all citizens over the next 2-1/2 years, the prime minister expressed a policy of integrating the systems of local governments in five years. A digital agency will be established next year as a control tower for the project.
The review of administrative procedures will likely have the effect of promoting the digitization of the economy and society. On the other hand, it may be difficult for many people to imagine how it will benefit their lives.
The government needs to explain to the public in a way that is easy to understand the whole picture of the reforms, including their cost-effectiveness.
The prime minister has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. He said he would encourage the development of new technologies and work toward a "virtuous cycle between the economy and the environment." The aim is probably to be aligned with the European Union by setting the same target as the EU.
Japan is heavily reliant on thermal power, so achieving this goal will not be easy. It is important to expand renewable energy and pave the way for the restart of nuclear power plants. The government needs to present concrete measures at an early date.
In the fields of diplomacy and security, Suga expressed a desire to realize the "free and open Indo-Pacific" vision based on the Japan-U.S. alliance by putting forward a strategy to strengthen cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Australia and India, among other countries.
The preceding administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strove to improve relations with China while deepening ties with the United States. As the confrontation between the United States and China intensifies, further diplomatic efforts are essential for Japan to maintain international order.
In Suga's speech, the prime minister listed a number of measures that he is interested in, such as raising the minimum wage and promoting tourism. However, the steps to be taken to realize many of them are unclear. The speech was unsatisfactory, as it did not mention measures to counter the decline in population and reform the social security system.
It is the prime minister's responsibility to face medium- and long-term issues head-on. The prime minister must deliver a more persuasive message in Diet debates.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Oct. 27, 2020.
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