Japan's New PM....... What will be new?
He is the country’s youngest prime minister since the Second World War, the first to be born after the war and scion of one of the most powerful political families. As Junichiro Koizumi, one of the most powerful politicians in post-war Japan has passed on the baton to Shinzo Abe, there are curious questions on ‘newness’ and ‘continuity’.
What will “Japan, the beautiful country” be like? What will be the contours of the foreign policy of the country that is all set to play a more assertive role in international affairs – a role that is in contrast to the low profile it has maintained since the end of world war? How will it reconcile the goals of an assertive foreign policy with the need to maintain conducive relations with the neighbours? What direction the bold economic reforms that enabled the economic revival after nearly a decade of stagnation will take? How will Japan reconcile the conflict in its economic interests with the rising economic might of its giant Asian neighbours?
Well, the answers will unfold gradually in future. But, the indications are that the generational change is more about continuity. Abe will pick up from where his predecessor left off – his vision entails a stronger Japan, a revision of the pacifist constitution to permit the country to have full-fledged armed forces, a robust economy and a trimmed-down government, a close alliance with Washington in both trade and security.
Following are some of the key points in the policy platform of the new Prime Minister --
Security & diplomacy - Stronger, Muscular & Assertive
He is the country’s youngest prime minister since the Second World War, the first to be born after the war and scion of one of the most powerful political families. As Junichiro Koizumi, one of the most powerful politicians in post-war Japan has passed on the baton to Shinzo Abe, there are curious questions on ‘newness’ and ‘continuity’.
What will “Japan, the beautiful country” be like? What will be the contours of the foreign policy of the country that is all set to play a more assertive role in international affairs – a role that is in contrast to the low profile it has maintained since the end of world war? How will it reconcile the goals of an assertive foreign policy with the need to maintain conducive relations with the neighbours? What direction the bold economic reforms that enabled the economic revival after nearly a decade of stagnation will take? How will Japan reconcile the conflict in its economic interests with the rising economic might of its giant Asian neighbours?
Well, the answers will unfold gradually in future. But, the indications are that the generational change is more about continuity. Abe will pick up from where his predecessor left off – his vision entails a stronger Japan, a revision of the pacifist constitution to permit the country to have full-fledged armed forces, a robust economy and a trimmed-down government, a close alliance with Washington in both trade and security.
Following are some of the key points in the policy platform of the new Prime Minister --
Security & diplomacy - Stronger, Muscular & Assertive
- Revision of Japan's 1947 ‘pacifist’ constitution, which renounces the right to go to war to resolve international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of a military
- Aggressive pursuit of a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council
- Further strengthening of the US -Japan alliance
- Strategic dialogue with countries such as the United States, India and Australia and European nations that share "common values" with Japan, such as democracy and freedom
- Strengthening trust with China and South Korea
- Promoting an Asia-Pacific community by promoting the World Trade Organization framework and free trade agreements
- Strengthening the role of the Prime Minister's Office in diplomacy and security policies
Economy - Reforms for All
- Rebuild a healthy economy by putting priority on spending reform and work towards comprehensive, mid- to long-term tax reform
- Keep new government bond issuance under 30 trillion yen ($258 billion) for next fiscal year starting in April, a target first set by predecessor Junichiro Koizumi. The target is seen key to cutting Japan's public debt which stands at 150 percent of gross domestic product, the highest ratio in the industrialized world
- Introduce "Second Chance" measures aimed at ensuring that market-based economic reforms do not result in a society of permanent 'winners' and 'losers'
- Revitalise the countryside through private-sector leadership and reform regional governments
- Build a "Japanese style social security model" which includes a simplified pension scheme, sustainable care for the elderly and a better environment for child-rearing
Education - Values and Patriotism
Reform the education system to ensure a high level of education, respect for social values and greater emphasis on patriotism in the school curriculum
