Unless the escalating issues of a declining population and aging society are tackled squarely and necessary measures are taken, Japan cannot go anywhere. The nation must put an end to its procrastinating politics and take up the challenge.
When the Heisei era dawned in 1989, a consumption tax was introduced at a rate of 3 percent. The tax was intended to secure stable funding for ballooning social security spending. It was an achievement pushed through by the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita that looked ahead to the future.
Thirty years later, the strain on Japan's society and economy has increased. As a result of boosting government spending, the nation has amassed huge debts. With people flowing into urban centers, regional areas have found it increasingly difficult to maintain even administrative functions.
Honestly explain crisis
Politics bears a heavy responsibility for chiefly pursuing measures that appeal to the public.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is urged to discern a course for Japan and strategically undertake a mountain of policy issues. At his New Year's press conference, Abe stressed, "I am determined to make this year carve out Japan's tomorrow." He must show his determination with specific measures.
The prime minister will face a House of Councillors election this summer.
It remains to be seen whether he can maintain the stable foundation of his administration toward wrapping up his premiership. The election is set to become a crucial battle. Instead of emphasizing his achievements, Abe needs to explain Japan's crisis honestly and prescribe steps for it.
The opposition camp should end its all-out efforts to criticize the Abe Cabinet and put up realistic measures. Demonstrating the ability to hold the reins of government could help expand public support.
Many important political events are scheduled for this year. A new system to expand the intake of foreign workers will be introduced in April.
As labor shortages have become serious, accepting adaptable workers from foreign countries is inevitable. In the initial fiscal year, the nation is expected to accept 47,550 such laborers in 14 business fields including nursing care.
Various support measures, including ones to help foreign workers acquire Japanese language skills and secure housing, should be implemented to enable them to adapt socially.
To maintain social and economic vitality on a long-term basis, it is essential to make multilateral efforts such as expanding the workforce of women and elderly people and improving productivity.
Solid discussions need to be carried out while sectionalism among government ministries and agencies must be eliminated. Abe is urged to exercise leadership in this matter.
In October, the consumption tax rate is slated to be raised to 10 percent. This will be a major step forward in the course of aiming for fiscal reconstruction.
It is imperative to make arrangements for smooth implementation of the tax hike. The government and ruling parties should work toward having the fiscal 2019 draft budget, which incorporates measures to deal with negative impacts of the tax increase, pass the Diet as early as possible.
Amid the situation in which two major powers, the United States and China, have been struggling for supremacy, Japan's foreign policy is entering a difficult phase. Japan is pressed to steer difficult diplomacy to establish a long-term stable relationship with China while maintaining the alliance with the United States as the basis of its foreign policy.
As chair of the Group of 20 major economies, Japan is called upon to take the leadership in promoting multinational cooperation.
Peace talks with Putin
Abe, who has expressed his resolution to "advance a total reassessment of Japan's postwar diplomacy," intends to focus on resolving the northern territories issue. Tough negotiations with Russia are anticipated.
In the Japan-Russia summit held last November, it was agreed to accelerate negotiations toward the conclusion of a peace treaty based on the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration. It is reasonable for the government to aim to ensure the return of the Habomai group of islets and Shikotan Island, which were mentioned in the declaration.
The focus of bilateral negotiations will be how to deal with Etorofu and Kunashiri islands. Abe should persistently call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make concessions. It is also indispensable for Abe to explain to the people as the negotiations develop.
To work toward resolving the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea, Abe shows a keen interest in holding direct talks between the leaders of the two countries.
How will Tokyo draw concessions from Pyongyang while maintaining a policy to resolve the issues of the North's nuclear and missile development and the abductions in a comprehensive manner? Abe's strategy will be tested in this regard.
Abe sets a goal of enforcing a new constitution in 2020. It is regrettable that Diet deliberations over the Constitution have stagnated due to resistance by some opposition parties.
The international situation and Japan's social system have both undergone dramatic transformations since the immediate postwar period in which the Constitution was established. It is reasonable to aim for the establishment of a constitution to fit a new era.
Seek top law revision
The Liberal Democratic Party has compiled four constitutional revision proposals, including one to add a provision to provide legal grounds for the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9. It is highly significant to give legitimacy to the SDF, which is engaged in preserving peace and keeping stable order in the area around Japan, and thus dispel skepticism that regards the SDF as unconstitutional.
It is essential for the prime minister to explain to the people the aims and contents of constitutional revision in a comprehensible manner and work tenaciously toward expanding their support for the revision.
His term of office has been extended until September 2021 following his victory in the LDP presidential election last autumn. If he remains in office until November this year, his total number of days in office will break the record of 2,886 set in the early 20th century by Prime Minister Taro Katsura.
The people's weariness of his administration is spreading as he has entered his seventh year since coming back to power.
The prime minister must steer the management of government with a sense of tension. He should strive to accumulate achievements steadily while obtaining the people's confidence.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 5, 2019)
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