Leaving Political Reform Behind in Policy Speech

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave a policy speech to the Diet on Tuesday, unusually delayed from the opening day of an ordinary session. Considering frustration of the public on slush fund scandal in Liberal Democratic Party, Kishida insisted on achieving wage hike more than rise of consumer prices. However, his speech lacked details about the scandal and how to prevent the same kind of illegal activities, which the opposition parties were frustrated with. 

Kishida firstly referred to his efforts for relieving the Noto Peninsula suffering from a great earthquake on January 1. Raising the problems of disturbance on sea transportation, damage on lifelines including water supply, isolation of small villages and impact on local communities with aged people, he appealed his decision of appropriating ¥1 trillion for the disaster and establishment of a headquarters for reconstruction in the government. He also praised the support and cooperation of the people to help the people in devastated area.

 

The point Kishida most emphasized was economy, encouraged by positive moves in stock market marking record high in the post-bubble economy after the end of 1980s. Expecting wage hike beyond price hike, Kishida argued that he would do his best for raising the wages in public sectors, such as medical and welfare workers, building of infrastructure or food service. “I am going to make a perception that wage hike is a usual matter firmly rooted in the society,” said Kishida in his speech.

 

Making an obvious contrast from economic issues, Kishida did not tell about the details of political reform. He insisted on that he would lead the implementation of an interim report of Political Reform Headquarters of LDP, which included some measures for enhancing transparency and compliance over political funds and detaching factions from money and appointment of ministers and party board members.

 

However, it is untold how he would explain for what the secret money was used, how many lawmakers were involved in the scandal and which provision of Political Funds Control Act should be amended not to repeat the same illegal activities. “No political stability, no promotion of policies. And no confidence on politics, no political stability,” Kishida only said.

 

In the recent poll of Yomiuri Shimbun, 92% did not think that the leaders of factions in LDP had not explained enough about their scandals. To a question whether they expect to Political Reform Headquarters in LDP established by Kishida, 75% answered no. On how long Kishida should stay as a prime minister, 56% answered that it should be until September when LDP presidential election will be taken place and 28% expected immediate replacement.

 

“Restoring confidence of the people and achieving stability of politics, I am going to promote important policies,” said Kishida. But, his political basis has significantly been eroded by consecutive scandals, which was caused by the structure of Kishida administration heavily dependent on the balance of factions. It is skeptical that the administration can be maintained without collective support from the factions.