Policy Speech for Decentralization

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gave an annual policy speech to the Diet on the first day of ordinary session on January 24^th. Having difficulty in exercising policies of his own without majority in the House of Representatives, Ishiba gave priority on decentralization in Japan, calling his initiative “Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago in Reiwa.” It is a set of policies, as he said, to achieve “pleasant Japan” with hope of revitalization of the country.

“Pleasant Japan” is a concept suggested by a novelist in the time of high economic growth in post-war period of Japan, Taichi Sakaiya. Ishiba interpreted it as a nation in which everyone can realize better tomorrow embracing one’s own dream and feeling security and safety, or in which diverse individuals respect each other and are capable of self-fulfillment. Sakaiya was Minister in charge of Economic Planning Agency in the Cabinet of Keizo Obuchi who was one of the followers of Kakuei Tanaka.

Ishiba’s remodeling initiative occupied thirty percent in volume of his policy speech. He raised five points to implement his idea: local community chosen by the young and women; decentralizing industry, bureaucracy and education; initiative of local innovation; development of infrastructure in new age; and wide connection of regions.

Ishiba proposes new demographic registration in local communities, in which urban residents can participate in local projects. He hopes the system to contribute to economic growth stemming from local communities. Bureaucracy is leading the decentralization. Disaster Prevention Agency, supposed to be established with Ishiba’s initiative, will be located out of Tokyo. Local communities are going to be the basis of technological innovation and advanced infrastructure. Interconnected relationships among local governments are also necessary.

Making contrast from decentralization initiative, Ishiba did not launch any new idea to deal with practical issues he was facing, Wage hike exceeding price hike, promotion of investment or economic security such as active cyber defense is the issues succeeded from previous Fumio Kihsida administration. Building close relationship with like-minded countries to deal with Russian invasion in Ukraine or North Korea’s missile and nuclear development has been Japan’s basic security strategy in past administrations.

On the issue of political reform, which is the main factor of miserable defeat in the last general election of the House of Representatives, Ishiba plainly proposed further discussion with the opposition parties, presenting no idea for concluding on donation from companies and organizations. The policy speech did not refer to “wall of 1.03 million yen” for income tax or selective dual-surname system for married couples.

Quoting the words of former prime minister Tanzan Ishibashi, Ishiba demanded cooperation of the opposition parties for advancement of the nation. But it is the Liberal Democratic Party that ignored proposals from the opposition parties, as exercised in dismissal of request for Diet convocation with constitutionally sufficient signatures in 2017. That attitude was frequently seen in Shinzo Abe administration. The opposition parties are closely watching whether Ishiba is departing from old LDP politics.