The Yomiuri Shimbun has interviewed each of the four candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election about their policies and political stances. The following is excerpted from an interview with Fumio Kishida, 64, former LDP Policy Research Council chairperson.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: You have proposed a party reform plan that includes allowing no more than three consecutive one-year terms for key party positions. Could you tell us about this proposal?
Fumio Kishida: Reforming the LDP is one of the major points of contention in the presidential election. I want to clarify the terms of office for key party positions and seek to appoint younger lawmakers to these posts. Companies have corporate governance codes, so our party should have one, too. In other words, we need guidelines on party management. I will set up an expert panel tasked with discussing the creation of such guidelines.
Q: What are your thoughts on the social security system?
A: I don't think it's good to divide people by age into two groups of those who provide support and those who are supported. Rather, I hope people capable of shouldering the burden will actively support other people. Work styles will become more diverse in the future, such as employees having side jobs or double jobs, in addition to regular and non-regular employees. I will aim to realize a universal health insurance system [that covers all types of workers], to prevent people from feeling a sense of injustice.
Q: How will you tackle fiscal rehabilitation?
A: We mustn't get our priorities wrong. We must overcome the coronavirus crisis, restore our normal lives and then revitalize the economy.
This path to recovery will be undermined if tax rates are increased now. For that reason, I'm not thinking of hiking the consumption tax rate for the time being. When it comes to restoring fiscal health, I don't think it's realistic to make up for the revenue shortfall only by raising tax rates.
Q: Could you tell us about your energy policy?
A: The shift to renewable energy is important in order to achieve carbon neutrality, or effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. On the other hand, when we consider the stable supply of electricity and the price [of electricity], there are limitations to solely relying on renewable energy. I think nuclear energy is a powerful option.
Nuclear power technologies are expected to be applied to other areas such as healthcare and agriculture. Nuclear technologies and personnel should be maintained toward the future. I want to look into the possibility of small modular reactors that are said to be safer. We should think about the future while giving consideration to resuming nuclear power plants.
Q: What is needed for Japan's national defense?
A: First is collaboration and cooperation with the United States, our alliance partner, and other countries that share universal values. The cooperation of the Quad alliance [of Japan, the United States, Australia and India] is important, and it is also necessary to discuss cooperation with the Five Eyes [an intelligence alliance of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States].
We also need to consider reviewing the national security strategy, enhancing the equipment of the Japan Coast Guard and responding to "gray-zone" situations where armed attacks cannot be confirmed.
Q: What do you think about the current government ministries and agencies?
A: Administrative organizations should be continuously reviewed as times change. Their productivity and efficiency should be improved by digitization and they should be streamlined. As part of my campaign promises, I pledged to establish a health crisis management agency that is responsible for overseeing the response to outbreaks of infectious diseases in an integrated manner.
This envisaged agency is aimed at developing the necessary system in normal times so that we can concentrate authority in one place in a time of crisis. We don't need to permanently have a full-time Cabinet minister dedicated to the issue. I've also called for creating a minister in charge of economic security, but I don't mean to increase the total number of Cabinet ministers.
Q: How will you deal with constitutional amendment?
A: I will make efforts to amend the Constitution during my term of office as LDP president. The Diet can initiate a constitutional amendment by obtaining support from two-thirds of all the members of both Houses. If there are items in the LDP's four-item revision proposal that can easily be agreed to by other parties, giving priority to those items might be a realistic option. But I myself would not give priority to any items.
-- Kishida determined to eliminate public distrust in politics
Former Olympic minister Toshiaki Endo offered the following characterization of Fumio Kishida, whom he supports:
[Kishida] is serious and never betrays people. He's not self-centered; he's fair and impartial. He has many achievements, such as realizing former U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Hiroshima when he was foreign minister, but he doesn't trumpet them. It would be easier for his supporters if he did so.
Several days before Kishida announced his candidacy [for president of the LDP], he said to me: "The LDP will lose the public's trust if nothing is done. I have to do it." At the time, many prominent party members tried to stop him, saying he did not have to put himself through this. However, Kishida didn't listen to their advice and was prepared to run in the election before anyone else. He's strong once he makes up his mind. He works hard and never complains.
The LDP has been involved in politics and money scandals. Kishida is the only person who can become a political leader trusted by the people.
There are disparities between urban and rural areas in Japan, and between the advantaged and disadvantaged populations. People are increasingly tense amid the coronavirus pandemic. I believe Kishida will be able to create a society of human connections, in which people can help each other.
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