Can Prime Minister Shinzo Abe restore the lost public confidence in his administration and create an environment in which policies can be implemented? He is facing a critical moment.
At the outset of his speech at the Liberal Democratic Party's regular party convention, Abe, who also serves as LDP president, expressed an apology over the alteration by the Finance Ministry of documents related to the approval of the sale of state-owned land, saying, "I'm painfully aware of my responsibility." He emphasized, "I'm resolved to ascertain the whole picture of the scandal and rebuild the administrative organization."
Given the plunge in approval ratings, this year's party convention was held amid a serious sense of crisis not experienced in recent years.
Even after the ministry's alteration of documents on selling state land to school operator Moritomo Gakuen was revealed, the government as a whole was late with its response, thus expanding the damage it suffered. Efforts must be made to win public support by discovering the truth through the summoning of former Finance Bureau chief at the Finance Ministry, Nobuhisa Sagawa, as a sworn witness.
There is no denying that laxity and arrogance have emerged in the Abe administration due to its longtime rule. It appears that the people have become tired of the administration.
Speaking at the convention as a guest, Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi called on the government "to listen attentively and humbly to the voices of the public and tackle the task of resolving challenges now." Abe must carefully steer government management.
The crucial point is for the administration to sincerely address the policy agendas it faces and bring about results one by one.
Candidates must vie over policy
Work style reform bills, which are scheduled to be submitted to the current Diet session, call for rectifying the practice of long working hours and promoting an equal-pay-for-equal-work system, among other things. This is in keeping with the diversification of jobs and contributes also to improvement of the employment environment. Abe must explain in detail the significance of the system, to ensure the bills are passed into law.
To have North Korea abandon its nuclear and missile development programs, now is the time for Japan to have closer communication with the United States.
Abe will visit the United States in mid-April at the earliest. It is imperative for him to coordinate views with U.S. President Donald Trump on how to deal with a planned U.S.-North Korea summit.
At its convention, the LDP has adopted an action policy "to present a constitutional amendment proposal and aim for its realization." The policy calls for the LDP to repeatedly hold constructive debate with other parties mainly on four items of revision, including the stipulation of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution.
The LDP plans to hold seminars on the Constitution under the sponsorship of its prefectural chapters and other organizations. Steady efforts must be made to spark public opinion on constitutional revision.
Attention is focused on the LDP's presidential election set for this September, in which Abe is expected to run to seek his third consecutive term in office.
Former LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba has indicated his willingness to run in the election while Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda is looking into the possibility. As for LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida, some within his faction are in favor of him running.
Ahead of unified local and the House of Councillors elections set for 2019, attention will be focused also on who would be the most suitable as "the face of election campaigns."
It is essential for candidates to compete in policy debate over how to strike a balance between fiscal reconstruction and economic growth, and how to sustain the social security system in anticipation of a super-aged society.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2018)
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