Pressing issues facing Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s third term


Analytics 21:44 18.10.2018
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent victory in the election to lead Japan’s governing party helped advance him towards becoming his country’s longest-serving prime minister. It affords him an opportunity to move forward on key policy areas facing Japan as it prepares for Japan’s new emperor to assume the throne in 2019 and for Tokyo to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
 
Over the longer term, he will need to prioritize to accomplish remaining policy aspirations — namely, constitutional revision, structural reform of the Japanese economy, and management of the country’s demographic crisis.
 
Revising Japan’s pacifist constitution
 
Now is arguably Abe’s make-or-break moment to realize his goal of revising the constitution’s war-renouncing clause, Article 9, by his stated timeline of 2020. He will need to capitalize on his remaining political capital to achieve this aim; Japan’s charter has not been amended since 1947.
 
Abe wants to resolve the debate among constitutional scholars in Japan about the legality of the Japan Self Defense Forces (SDF). For years, many have argued that having the SDF violates Article 9. To address this, Abe wants to insert into the constitution a reference to the SDF while keeping in place the clauses that renounce the right to wage war and ban the maintenance of a standing military.
 
He cites threats to Japan’s national security as justification for amending Article 9, most notably North Korea’s menacing behavior and the rise of China.
 
To achieve the required two-thirds majority in parliament for proposing constitutional change for public referendum, Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party will need support from its coalition partner, the Komei Party, and from minority opposition parties. The Komei Party, principally supported by the pacifist lay Buddhist group Soka Gakkai, is known to be wary of changing Article 9.
 
If Article 9 revision passes parliament, it then would need approval by a majority of Japanese voters to be codified. But the Japanese public long has been divided on the issue. Recent polls indicate 46 percent remain opposed, while 44 percent are in favor. Most Japanese do not want Japan’s postwar constitution changed, believing that its built-in legal constraints have served Japan well and allowed for its peaceful, prosperous revival.
 
If they want the referendum approved, the prime minister and his allies should start, without delay, a concerted nationwide public relations campaign to address public concerns. This will require significant political capital and time.
 
Reforming the economy
 
It is no secret that Abe needs to put his country back on a path toward economic growth. Thus far, he has delayed any structural economic reform, opting instead for the ineffective stimulus policies of the Bank of Japan and a weak yen to revive the economy.
 
Compounding the challenge is Japan’s public debt-to-GDP ratio of 250 percent, and the country continues to have difficulty meeting its health and welfare costs while its pool of available (and taxable) workers continues to dwindle.  
 
Tokyo for years has relied on loose monetary policy to cover the costs associated with its persistent deficits, but this approach has met its limits. Providing additional support for startups, cutting red tape, lowering taxes, reforming outdated labor laws and creating favorable conditions for foreign direct investment are crucial for making Japan’s economy more competitive. Other necessary changes for structural economic reform are opening Japan’s agricultural, energy and environmental sectors as well as deregulating the overly restricted health care industry.
 
Abe and his administration also need to work to change the psychology of Japanese workers, providing them with hope that better times are ahead. For two decades, Japanese salaries have remained static, even as some corporations in recent years have enjoyed record profits. Understandably, Japanese workers and households have been hesitant to open their wallets.
 
Outreach to women and young families also should be part of the economic reform platform. Japanese women need to know that their government is serious about helping female workers by providing daycare facilities, better maternity leave policies, and opportunities for career advancement.
 
Managing the demographic crisis
 
In 2017, Japan’s population shrunk by 227,000, marking seven straight years of decrease, and 2019 budget spending is projected to reach a record high $920 billion, with a third of that amount set aside for health and welfare costs.
 
To help fill its shortage of workers, Japan needs to make changes to its immigration policy regarding foreign workers. This year it implemented timely measures that ease restrictions on unskilled workers to mitigate labor shortages in nursing, shipbuilding, lodging, construction and agriculture. But further changes will be necessary.
 
To be fair, Abe’s goals of revising Japan’s constitution, rebooting its economy and managing the effects of a shrinking, graying population are long-term endeavors that will require the efforts of successive administrations. Yet, Abe is at the height of his political power and well-positioned to take on these issues. Making headway on these policy goals would further solidify his legacy.
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
13:45 19.03.2024
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
13:30 19.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 20
13:13 19.03.2024
Israel, Hamas ready to compromise at Doha talks
13:05 19.03.2024
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
12:49 19.03.2024
Armenia may face a war if refuses to discuss border issues - Pashinyan
12:22 19.03.2024
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
11:55 19.03.2024
Fenerbahçe to discuss withdrawing from 'Super Lig'
11:32 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
11:08 19.03.2024
US Maritime Administration issues new advisory amid rising maritime threats in Middle East
10:55 19.03.2024
EU looks forward to cooperation with Azerbaijan for successful COP29
10:38 19.03.2024
EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Hamısı