Persuading for Agenda

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had consecutive meetings with the colleagues in his administration on Monday to persuade them on his policies of postponing consumption tax increase and dismissal of double election of both Houses. Although some Ministers or party leaders were negative on his agenda setting, Abe exercised his leadership to design political schedule for next few years. It is possible that Abe’s unilateral scheduling will weaken his political basis.

Night meeting with Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, took three hours. In a meeting two days before, Aso opposed delay of consumption tax increase and required double election, if Abe would dare to reschedule it. Abe carefully explained Aso why he would not choose the option of simultaneous election. Japanese economy has been suffering from slowdown of emerging economy from the beginning of this year. His presentation that world economy was in the same situation as just before Lehman Shock was internationally criticized. With no positive view for winning double election, Abe told Aso that they would be able to listen to the people’s voices even through single election of House of Councillors.

In the board meeting of Liberal Democratic Party in the daytime, Abe demanded unified approval on his policy. “I want to delay the schedule of raising consumption tax rate to 10% by two and a half years. We cannot get Japanese economy back to the trend of deflation,” told Abe. Secretary General, Sadakazu Tanigaki, who had been negative on the rescheduling, finally followed Abe. “It is important for us to build a posture to proceed to the election of House of Councillors,” said Tanigaki. Other board members no longer opposed Abe’s policy change.

While Komeito had been negative on the postponing consumption tax hike, President, Natsuo Yamaguchi realized firm determination of Prime Minister in a meeting on Monday. As long as the fundamental demand for tax increase is introduction of tax relief, Komeito can approve Abe’s policy with no change in substance. Support of Komeito might have deterred Abe’s ambition of having double election.

The policy change encouraged the opposite parties. President of Democratic Party, Katsuya Okada, accused Abe of the failure of Abenomics. Four opposite parties agreed on submitting a motion of non-confidence against the Cabinet to House of Representatives on Tuesday. Although it will be dismissed by overwhelming opposition from the leading parties, the motion itself will work for degrading Abe administration.

Opposition over Tax Hike Rescheduling

Suffering from economic slowdown, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems to have decided to postpone raising consumption tax rate, planned in next April. Newspapers reported that Abe told on Saturday his colleagues to delay the date of consumption tax hike by two and a half years. New plan was set with consideration of political schedule. Abe supposedly wanted to avoid negative impact on election of House of Councillors in Summer 2019. His decision invited unexpected quarrels inside the leading party coalition.

The original schedule for raising consumption tax rate from 8% to 10% had been April 2015, based on an agreement between leading Democratic Party of Japan and opposite Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. Abe decided delaying the schedule for one and a half years in November 2014. To listen to the voices of the people on his decision, he decided dissolving House of Representatives. “I will firmly raise consumption tax rate one and a half years later,” Abe promised then.

Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, opposed Abe’s plan from his standpoint for leading tax-increasing policy to improve financial balance. He focuses on fiscal discipline and maintenance of budget for social security. “We won an election with saying that we would raise the tax rate one and a half years later. It will be unreasonable not to have another election, if we postpone it again,” said Aso in his speech in Toyama on Sunday. Aso explicitly demanded dissolution of House of Representatives and simultaneous voting with House of Councillors in July.

LDP has same vision as Aso’s. LDP Secretary General, Sadakazu Tanigaki, followed Aso’s opinion in the same Toyama meeting. If Abe reschedules tax hike, it will be regarded as a failure of Abenomics, putting negative impact on the election. Simultaneous voting is expected to support the candidates of House of Councillors with multiplier effect.

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, firmly opposes double election with consideration for negative opinion in Komeito. Suga thinks that election of House of Representatives is not immediately needed, because the leading parties already have two-thirds majority in the House and it is too early to have another election after only one and a half years later from the previous one.

It is unusual for highly unified Abe administration to show sharp opposition inside. Some predict Aso’s resignation as Minister of Finance, if his opinion is not accepted. Choosing double election or not, Abe will embrace fundamental antagonism in his administration.

Accusing Absentees

Group of 7 Summit in Ise-Shima, Japan, was closed with delivery of a declaration for addressing various international issues. On international politics and diplomacy, G7 leaders shared concern on the situation of South and East China Seas, where a Asian emerging giant claimed its unilateral interest, or accusation to Russia of its annexation of Crimea. One crucial fact for those seven developed nations was absence of guarantee for effectiveness of their message.

The chair nation of G7 insisted on maritime security. The leaders shared three principles that Japanese Prime Minister had embraced: rules-based maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law, peaceful dispute settlement supported by confidence building and respecting freedom of navigation and overflight. “We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Sea, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes,” the declaration appealed.

Targeted government immediately responded. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong dissatisfaction against the outcome of G7 meeting. “As a host of G7 Summit, Japan’s hyping up of the South China Sea issue and regional tension does no good to stability of this area, and is incompatible with the role played by the G7 as an economic governance platform for developed countries,” said Spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, in her press conference.

On Ukraine, G7 leaders emphasized their united efforts. “We reiterate our condemnation of the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia and reaffirm our policy of its non-recognition and sanctions against those involved,” the declaration described. Urging all sides to take concrete steps to the complete ceasefire required under the Minsk agreements, G7 leaders expected Russia “to live up to its commitments and use its influence over the separatists to meet their commitments in full.”

Russia regarded the declaration for continued sanction as “absurd.” “The Group of Seven and its leaders are putting the cart before the horse and ignoring the obvious things that need to be addressed by the Ukrainian authorities because it is they who are not fulfilling the Minsk agreements,” told Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov.

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, wanted to bridge between Russia and G7. He visited Sochi early this month to urge Russian President, Vladimir Putin, full implementation of Minsk agreement. However, the answer from Russia was a derider on absurdity of the demand.

Embracing Different Truth

Planned few-minute comment turned into a seventy-minute speech. In the first visit of incumbent President of the United States to Hiroshima, Barack Obama urged the people to seek the world without nuclear weapons. Japanese newspapers raised his words, “we must have the courage to escape the logic of fear, and pursue a world without them,” for headline of front page on Saturday. The atomic bomb sufferers calmly listened to his words, which was based on fundamentally different idea.

At the beginning of the speech, Obama looked pretending to be a poet. “Seventy-one years ago, on a bright, cloudless morning, death fell from the sky and the world was changed. A flash of light and a wall of fire destroyed a city and demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself,” Obama described the morning as if he had seen that. Then he asked, “Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima?”

Then he turned to be a history teller. “The World War that reached its brutal end in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was fought among the wealthiest and most powerful if nations. Their civilizations had given the world great cities and magnificent art. Their thinkers had advanced ideas of justice and harmony and truth. And yet, the war grew out of the same base instinct for domination or conquest that had caused conflicts among the simplest tribes; an old pattern amplified by new capabilities and without new constraints. In the span of a few years, some 60 million people would die – men, women, children no different than us, shot, beaten, marched, bombed, jailed, starved, gassed to death,” told Obama, generalizing damages of war.

Obama raised some elements that would blind us to a “truth:” ability of human sometimes lead to unmatched destruction. He says material advancement or social innovation blinds mankind to the truth, higher cause justifies violence, no religion spares from believers who have claimed their faith as a license to kill, nations uses their story of binding to oppress and dehumanize those who are different, and scientific discoveries can be turned into ever-more efficient killing machines. Obama told that Hiroshima would teach this truth.

The sufferers of atomic bombs do not think that way. They do not think higher cause, religion, nations, science or technology kills people. For them, what kills you is war. They require more a world without war than a world without nuclear weapons. Before claiming a world without nuclear weapons, he had to discard war as means of settling international disputes. Demanding braveness to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, Obama was brave enough to make that speech wearing ecstatic countenance in front of hibakushas.

Keeping his hand shaking with POTUS, a 91-year-old hibakusha, Sunao Tsuboi, told Obama after the speech, “It’s important hereafter. After your stepping down as President next January, come to Hiroshima and look at and listen to it.” Is Obama further brave to do that?

Resembling Pre-Lehman Situation

The leaders of Group 7 shared common recognition that world economy is facing risk of slowdown in emerging economy in the meeting in Ise-Shima, Japan, on Thursday. So what? If they had not agreed on that notion, it must have been a meeting of the novices. Encouraged by that conceptual basis, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe analyzed that current situation of world economy was close to that in a period before Lehman Shock in 2008, paving the way to postponing consumption tax hike.

Simply believing in digitals, Abe laid some data that indicated similar trend of pre-Lehman era. He made a presentation that commodity price of energy, foods or raw materials declined by 55% between June 2014 and January 2016, which was as great as in between July 2008 and February 2009 around Lehman Shock. And about growth ratio of investment by emerging countries like China or developing countries, Abe insisted that it marked 2.5% in 2015, below the level of 3.8% in 2009. “We could not prevent the crisis in Toyako Summit just before Lehman Shock. I don’t want to make the same mistake,” stressed Abe.

Newspapers ran a big headline on front page Friday morning that Abe would postpone consumption tax hike planned in next April. He has been saying that he would raise consumption tax rate from 8% to 10%, as long as emergency such as Lehman Shock or great earthquake would not occur. He interprets his words as he can do that, if Lehman Shock class economic crisis happens. He wanted an endorsement from international leaders that this is a critical moment like pre-Lehman era.

Unfortunately, a leader with the longest experience in the summit dismissed the notion. “I wonder if we can call it crisis,” Japanese newspapers reported as Merkel’s words. For the senior leader who dealt with actual crisis management in Lehman Shock, current world economy was not enough to be named crisis. “The world economy is showing signs of stable growth, but there are risks,” Merkel said to the press without any agitation. She also insisted on the necessity of structural reform, which was the weakest point of Abenomics.

Market was also negative on the notion presented by Abe. Economists in Japan analyzed that the background of current world economy was different from the situation of Lehman Shock. While decline of commodity price was caused by significant down of demands in Lehman era, current price down is brought by excessive supplies, as seen in overproducing of shale oil. More economists expect higher growth in 2016 than in previous year. Market recognizes Abe’s reasoning as unreasonable.

Deepest Regret from U.S. President

It was not imaginable a week ago. The bilateral top meeting was hijacked by an incident in Okinawa, in which a tail of United States Force abandoned corpse of young girl. Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, firmly protested against United States with his political necessity to show courageous attitude. U.S. President, Barack Obama, was careful not to be looking as apologizing to Japan, while extending his “sincerest condolences and deepest regret.” Their defensive attitude for their standpoints would not fundamentally settle the problem.

Abe focused on the anger of people in Okinawa or Japan. “At the very outset of our small group discussion, I firmly lodged a protest against President Obama as the Japanese Prime Minister with regard to the most recent case in Okinawa,” told Abe to the press. “This case has shocked not only Okinawa, but also deeply shocked the entire Japan. I conveyed to the President that such feelings of Japanese people should be sincerely taken to heart. I also urged the United States to make sure to take effective and thorough means to prevent a recurrence, and vigorously and strictly address the situation.”

Obama began his statement on positive aspect of the bilateral relationship. “Prime Minister Abe and his team have done an outstanding job preparing for the G7 Summit. And we discussed, as Shinzo indicated, the need for us to continue to boost global growth and to move ahead with the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” told Obama. It was embarrassingly inappropriate for U.S. President to spare a statement on the murder case at the beginning, when Japanese public was expecting apologetic words from him.

Obama expressed the case as “tragedy.” “And the United States will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation to ensure that justice is done under the Japanese legal system,” added Obama. That was it. Newspapers argued whether Obama apologized on the case. They carried news that U.S. side corrected its translation of Obama’s statement, which lacked the part of “deepest regrets.” Newspapers discussed which would be the deepest, “very apologetic” Secretary of State John Kerry or “deepest regrets” from Obama.

Argument over expression did not have any impact on furious Okinawa. Okinawa Prefectural Congress passed a resolution that requested retreat of U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa, abandonment of the relocation plan of Futenma Marine Air Base to Henoko and fundamental reviewing of Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. “I cannot help doubting U.S. Force’s effort for prevention or effectiveness of education,” said Okinawan Governor, Takeshi Onaga. But, the outcome of the bilateral top meeting was that they would never listen to the voices.

Hate Speech Countermeasures Act

The legislative branch made the first step to eliminate discriminative public speech against Korean-Japanese on Tuesday. Hate Speech Countermeasures Act passed House of Representatives with overwhelming approval both sides of the aisle except Social Democratic Party. Lacking provision for penalty, the legislation cannot be the final answer to the problem. It is necessary for the nation to recognize that freedom of speech cannot be guaranteed on sacrifice of human rights of minority.

The act explains its purpose to be prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity and urging central and local government to take measures for basic policy against racial discrimination. It defines ethnicity as race, color of skin, family or ethnic or tribal affiliation. No one is allowed making discriminative speech based on those kinds of differences. The act prohibits harming rights or interests through discriminative action such as insult or harassment.

The leading parties had been reluctant to the legislation. They changed its attitude with a condition that the law would not include provision of penalty, considering freedom of speech. A compromise stood focusing on the significance of taking unprecedented measures against hate speech, even if the law would not have power of enforcement. The opposite parties were not satisfied with the lack of protection for ethnic minority like Ainu or illegal refugees. But, the lawmakers took action to achieve an outcome before the end of this session.

Members of Committee on Judicial Affairs held a press conference after the passage. “The Diet never allows hate speech. The act indicated that the people also have a duty to make efforts to build a society without discrimination,” told Shoji Nishida, Liberal Democratic Party. “We need to infuse the souls of sufferers or experts into the act,” told Yoshifu Arita, Democratic Party.

Based on the data of Ministry of Justice, 1152 hate demonstrations were held between April 2012 and September 2015. Korean-Japanese or their families and relatives were targeted by discriminative speeches explicitly requiring their death or exclusion. They are feeling relieved, if their kids are going to school without fear. “Our government approves the legislation. We expect all the foreign people in Japan, including our Korean comrades, can live in a safe environment,” said a spokesman of Republic of Korea.

It is still not clear whether no hate speech will appear in the future. Some organizations have plan of hate speech demonstration next month. Based on new legislation, government needs to take strict measures with support of public hating hate speech.

Hard Demand of Okinawan Governor

Governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, had a meeting with Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to discuss the issue of violence by a tail of United States Force in Okinawa. Onaga required meeting with U.S. President, Barack Obama, taking opportunity of visiting Japan for Group 7 Summit and review of Status of Forces Agreement between Japan and U.S. While showing his basic attitude to stand by Okinawa, Abe actually had to reject those requests. No improvement was brought in their relationship.

The meeting took ten minutes at Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo, with participation of Chief Cabinet Secretary in charge of Okinawa issue, Yoshihide Suga. Onaga regarded the issue, abandoning of female corpse by a worker for U.S. Force who was suspected to have raped and killed the woman, as caused by the existence of U.S. bases, requiring review of Japan-U.S. SOFA. “To protect safety and security of our children or grandchildren, I want to talk directly with U.S. President,” told Onaga.

Although Abe promised to demand Obama strict measures, Suga dismissed the possibility of meeting between U.S. President and the governor. “Generally speaking, it is proper that security or diplomatic issue is discussed between central governments,” told Suga in his press conference. Onaga criticized policy of Abe administration to “do everything the government can do” as “not to do anything the government cannot do.” He also questioned qualification of Ambassador for Okinawa in Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Okinawa Defense Bureau of Ministry of Defense.

Onaga has political reasons to be aggressive to central government. He is supported by the voters who are negative on existence of U.S. military bases. There will be a major rally to protest U.S. Force on June 19^th. On June 23^rd, Okinawa will have annual memorial day for the victims of Battle in Okinawa. Those events will be the good opportunity for Onaga to appeal his rightness to be countering Abe administration. He also hopes to increase his supporters in Okinawa Prefectural Congress in coming election on June 5^th.

However, Onaga has basically been accepting Japan-U.S. security regime and recognizing deterrence of U.S. Air Force in Kadena Air Base. If he requires shutting down of all U.S. bases in Okinawa including Kadena, it will contradict his policies being kept for years. His supporters are divided into two groups, one for shutting down all the bases and another for limited protest against relocation of Futenma Marine Air Base to Henoko. Rushing to anti-base movement may undermine the political basis of Onaga.

Passion of An Idol

She was there for her live music performance on Saturday night. Waiting for her around, the man approached her and pierced her neck, breast, back or arms with his knife for over twenty times. She is in a critical condition in a hospital. Police arrested him on a charge of injuring. He had been embracing deep grudge against her after she returned him a gift. He could not distinguish his dream on her from the world he and she were living in.

20 years old Mayu Tomita, a college student, musician and idol performer, was ready for her guitar performance at a live house in Koganei city, Tokyo, around 9 p.m. It was 5 p.m., when Tomohiro Iwasaki, 27, a fan of Tomita, assaulted her with his knife outside of the building. She announced the time schedule of her live performance through her blog.

Iwasaki had unilaterally been sending his message to Tomita’s twitter account from January. “Do you know what it means to present watch? Please use it preciously,” uploaded Iwasaki. He supposedly sent her a watch later. And then, he requested her to return the watch, if she would throw it away or sell it to someone.

In the twitter on April 28, he uploaded a message that indicated he received an anonymous package with a watch and three books inside. “Thank you for your supreme harassment. I will crush the watch with hammer to the pieces,” said Iwasaki. He told the police after the arrest that he was upset with the returning of watch, asked her about it in front of the live house Saturday evening, and got indignant and stabbed her repeatedly.

Tomita had been requesting police some help earlier this month. “A male fan I know has consistently been posting messages to my blog or twitter,” she appealed to Tokyo Metropolitan Police. In the consecutive consultation with police, Tomita sent her schedule of live concert Saturday night. Police was ready for dealing with any happenings, when it would receive a call to 110, same as 911 in United States. But, Tomita was assaulted before 110 call, without any preventive action by police.

With spread of “kawaii culture,” business of enchanting young males with charming female idols is overheating. To sell a down-to-earth image of idols, distance between idols and fans is getting closer. Two years ago, three members of AKB48 were injured by saw of a fan in an event of shaking hands with fans. This business model may cause illusion of fans that they think the idol is their own. Apathetic society encourages this kind of escape from the real world.

Fails in Fiscal Mobilization

The financial ministers and governors of central banks of seven developed nations agreed on taking fiscal measures for economic growth based on the needs of each country. The chair country, Japan, failed in achieving concerted announcement for fiscal mobilization, which had been the most important goal for Japanese economy. Also appeared was opposition over currency rate between Japan and United States. International economic policy community was not controllable for the chair.

Group 7 Financial Ministers and Governors of Central Bank Meeting in Sendai concluded that member countries would mobilize three policies, fiscal mobilization, monetary policy and structural reform. However, decision for fiscal mobilization was left to each government, considering firm opposition from Germany. Suffering from consecutive spending on refugee policy, German government cannot afford to spend budget for the purpose of economic growth. “The most important is structural reform,” told German Financial Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, after the meeting.

Japan wanted to justify its own economic policy based on positive expense of budget, which consists of one of the three arrows of Abenomics. It expected Germany to be persuaded by other supporters for fiscal mobilization, such as United States or France. But, United Kingdom sided with European economic leader. It is unlikely that Japan can draw compromise from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and achieve an agreement on fiscal mobilization in the Summit Meeting later this month.

Japan also failed in agreeing with U.S. on the recognition of excessively high value of Japanese yen. “We saw unilateral and biased moves. It is necessary to stabilize foreign exchange,” said Japanese Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, to U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Jacob Lew, in the bilateral meeting before the G7 meeting. “It’s pretty high bar at disorderly conditions,” told Lew. While G7 agreed on avoiding competitive currency devaluation, bilateral difference still remains.

United States added Japan, as well as China, on its watching list for foreign exchange practices in April. Against Aso who emphasized his readiness for intervention to foreign exchange, Lew raised the possibility of chain reaction of other nations, when Japan would move to devaluation for its competitive exports. It is obvious that U.S. is skeptical on Abenomics focusing on exporters.

One thing the parties agreed on was to tackle the tax haven scandal, which some leaders in G7 was involved in. But, it is unclear whether the group can build up functional framework. Decline of G7 power can be seen in this lack of actual agreement.

Rapes, Kills and Abandons

Newspapers are revealing the details of murder by a worker for United States Force in Okinawa. The suspect, Franklin Shinzato, admitted to the police that he raped the victim and killed her before he abandoned the corpse. It can be regarded as a behavior of beast that does not care about humanity. One thing clear: the people in Okinawa think that the existence of U.S. military bases caused the case. Those bases are castles of devil for them.

According to the reports, Shinzato hit the head of the woman and brought her in his car. He admitted that he did that for obscene purpose, admitting his raping on her. Then he killed her by stabbing her body with a knife, carried her dead body and abandoned in a forest. Security camera captured a scene when Shinzato bought salt in a convenience store and sprinkled it on his car surface. This story is nothing but vomiting.

One of the victim’s relatives stated to the interview of TV crew that she could not believe the story, crying over the lost of young life with hopes for future wedding or carrying baby. One protestor at the gate of U.S. Kadena Air Base, where Shinzato was working, realized that this case went beyond the line of his perseverance. “We need to rethink Japan-U.S. alliance and Status of Force Agreement,” he told.

Protests are spreading. Supporters for Okinawan Governor, Takeshi Onaga, are planning a protesting rally next month. When American military personnel raped a girl in 1995, 85,000 people gathered and accused U.S., paving a way to relocation of Futenma Air Base and discussion over Japan-U.S. SOFA.

But, the movement is not contained within Okinawa this time. Thirty women had a rally in front of Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Friday. “Return back the life,” they chanted toward the Prime Minister’s office. “It is important to raise voices from the mainland with solidarity with Okinawa,” told a woman. The place became an ordinary stage for protest against Japanese government. Okinawa issue stands on it as well as abolishment of nuclear power plant or unconstitutional security legislation.

In the meeting with Vice-governor of Okinawa, Mitsuo Ageda, Commander of U.S. Marine Forces Japan, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson told that he would take full responsibility for the incident. When a man in Japan refers to “responsibility,” he needs to draw a certain result on the issue. It is doubtful that Nicholson can bring some kind of solution from U.S. government. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe considers asking preventing measures to U.S. President Barack Obama in Group 7 Summit later this month. But, what Japanese citizens demand is “apology” of Obama, which has been the most sensitive word for his visit to Japan that itinerary includes visit to Hiroshima.

Okinawa Furious Again

American violence in Okinawa again. Okinawa Regional Police arrested on Thursday a worker for United States Force in Okinawa, Kenneth Shinzato, 32, with suspicion of abandoning corpse. Based on the statement of Shinzato, the police found a dead body of young woman in a forest, who had been missed since last month. Violence of Americans in Okinawa has been causing firm protest of the citizens in Okinawa against U.S. Force. This case inevitably affects the relocation plan of Futenma Marine Airbase to Henoko.

Rina Shimabukuro, 20, left her home in Uruma city, Okinawa, for outdoor walking exercise around 8 p.m. on April 28^th. After she sent a Line message of leaving home to her boy friend, she has been missed for weeks. Her family asked the police to search her next day. The police reconfirmed that locative information from her smart phone indicated that she was around a landfill area a few kilometers away from her home in 2 a.m. of April 29. As a result of investigation, the police realized that Shinzato was driving a car in that place at that time.

Shinzato was former military personnel of U.S. Force and is working now as a mechanic on computer or electric wiring. “I buried a body of motionless woman in a forest,” told Shinzato in the police interview. How the woman was killed is not identified so far.

Governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, expressed extreme regret for Shimabukuro’s shattered future dreams and hopes to the press in Naha International Airport right after his arrival from a trip to U.S. “We had a violence on a woman in Naha city this year, and after a few months, this kind of thing happened. It is related to the military, which is uncontrollable,” said Onaga. He was also frustrated with Japanese government, indicating that the people in Okinawa knew its incompetence.

In 1995, U.S. Marine personnel raped an elementary school girl, the case which ignited broad anger of Okinawa. It caused a governmental agreement for returning Futenma Marine Air Base to Okinawa. Nevertheless, violence of Americans has not eliminated, encouraging protest against U.S. Force. The case of Shinzato will turn the people in Okinawa on the fundamental contradiction of existence of U.S. bases in Okinawa.

Okinawa issue directly affects Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, called U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, to his office and expressed “outcry representing Japanese citizens.” Minister of Defense protested to Commander of U.S. Force in Japan, John Dolan, in the Ministry’s office. Some worries about how this case affects the schedule of U.S. President Barack Obama for visit to Hiroshima later this month.

Politics over Tax Rescheduling

That was the first and possible the last direct debate between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the opposite party leaders in this session of the Diet. In the joint meeting of Committee on Fundamental National Policies of both Houses, or Question Time, on Wednesday, President of Democratic Party, Katsuya Okada, requested Abe to delay raising consumption tax rate scheduled in next April. Abe refused revealing his idea, which might be the same as Okada’s. Abe silently tried hard to defend his ailing economic policy called Abenomics.

Okada repeatedly asked Abe whether he would postpone the schedule of consumption tax hike. “I raised consumption tax hike by 3% with a notion that it would be indispensable for passing our world–renowned social security system over next generation. I will not change current policy on next additional 2% as long as fatal event such as Lehman Shock or great earthquake does not happen. With consultation to experts, I will decide appropriately,” replied Abe.

When he dissolved House of Representatives in 2014, with a cause of asking people’s voices on postponing consumption tax hike once scheduled in April 2015, Abe promised there would never be another delay of the schedule. The schedule set was April, 2017. It is obvious that Abe will break his promise, if he announces another rescheduling for it. Since the rescheduling gives the opposite parties a great opportunity for blaming political failure, Okada recommended Abe to postpone the tax hike, even if it would contradict the policy of Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, Okada laid four conditions for rescheduling: raising consumption tax rate to 10% in April, 2019, without changing the goal of achieving primary fiscal balance by 2020; governmental and financial reform; improved social security with supporting measures for low-income families; and retreat from introduction of tax relief. Those were the materials for Okada to criticize the failure of Abenomics, when Abe decides the rescheduling.

The schedule of consumption tax hike closely connected with political strategy of Abe. It is regarded in Nagatacho, the place the Diet and P.M. Official Residence are, that the rescheduling will give Abe a cause for asking people’s voice on his decision again. Although it included an element of leap year, gross domestic products in first quarter of this year marked annual 1.7%. Supporting rate of Abe Cabinet maintains certain stability. But, it is inevitable that Japanese public criticizes absence of politics in the time of many people in Kumamoto still evacuating after consecutive earthquake. Considering all those conditions, Abe will make final decision after Group 7 Summit later this month.

Addictive Fallen Baseball Hero

In a courtroom, he cried over like a big baby. The first trial on the case of former pro-baseball player, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, arrested with suspicion of carrying and using pep pills, was held in Tokyo Regional Court on Tuesday. Kiyohara admitted all the facts of prosecution and the prosecutor requested two and a half years in prison. Media focused on unexpected mental weakness of a former eminent baseball slugger, hoping his early comeback.

Kiyohara was prosecuted on a charge of receiving 1.2 gram of illegal drug, paying ¥80,000, in a hotel in Ota city, Gunma, last September, using the drug in a hotel in Tokyo in February, and possessing 0.2 gram of the drug in his room. The prosecutor appealed that Kiyohara began to repeatedly use the drug right after his retirement in 2008. “Using drug occupies a part of his daily life. There is a high possibility of committing the same crime,” told the prosecutor.

The prosecutor read out the statement of Kiyohara in the interviews, which indicated that he depended on drug when he lost his goal as a baseball player. After his retirement, no pro-baseball team wanted him for coaching, which deeply disappointed Kiyohara. “I could manage my mental anxiety or stress by playing baseball. But, after the retirement, I lost the solution and was defeated by drugs,” testified Kiyohara. He revealed his weakness depending on drug when he suffered from loneliness or pressure.

Former major leaguer, known as “Daimajin” of Seattle Mariners, Kazuhiro Sasaki, appeared to defend Kiyohara. “He was the supreme batter. I believe in him to be a man of baseball. I will stand by him. No same mistake will happen again,” testified Sasaki. Some newspapers and TV program delivered comments of sports correspondent or baseball commentator that expected successful rehabilitation and comeback of Kiyohara.

Will it be the end of the story? No, it must not be. Kiyohara refused to testify how frequently he used the drug or when and how he started using drug. It is doubted that Kiyohara could have a long connection with mafia group. He has weirdly huge dragon tattoo on his front body, which was appeared on the page of Weekly Bunshun magazine. His weakness may encourage him to get back to the darkness of drug addiction, when he will be lonely again.

Kiyohara is a betrayer against the dream of baseball kids in Japan. He still keeps secret of underground friendship related to drug exchange. Before talking about his early comeback, he needs to be punished appropriately.

Expecting to G7 Power

Politics in Japan is getting focused on a coming meeting of top Western leaders, or Group 7 Summit, later this month. Political agenda of Shinzo Abe administration has been pending, waiting for some achievements of the meeting which Abe will chair. Abe looks like expecting that G7 Summit will address every international issue and lead to political boost with his leadership at the summit. But, the world may not be controlled by political strategy in a country.

Abe wants to make G7 Summit a step for resilience of his economic policy called Abenomics. “Fundamentals of Japanese economy are good. What in the world is going on?” Abe has been questioning about the situation of Japanese economy from the beginning of this year, according to Mainichi Shimbun. He was frustrated with an environment in which slowdown of world economy disturbed Japanese economy, ignoring a nature of Abenomics having been supported by outer elements.

As the chairman of G7 Summit, Abe is focusing on world economy for its agenda. As concluded in G20 Financial Minister and Governor of Central Bank Meeting in Shanghai in February, policy cooperation for flexible fiscal policy, not relying only on monetary policy, was recognized as one of the goals of G7 Summit. If G7 Summit agrees on promoting flexible fiscal policy, Abe will take advantage of the conclusion for his fiscal mobilization in domestic economy, which may support his other political agenda.

However, there are some member countries that are reluctant to fiscal approach. Germany focuses on fiscal discipline, being negative on accumulated financial debt. Seeking economic growth through deregulation, United Kingdom is also careful for fiscal mobilization. Not focusing on fiscal policy so much, United States wants to adjust currency exchange rate to be preferable for U.S. exporters, the policy which competes against Japanese interest.

International politics is also uncontrollable for Abe. While Abe visited Russia to meet with before G7 Summit and asked President Vladimir Putin taking constructive role for stability of Ukraine, other G7 leaders are still skeptical about good will of Russia. On North Korea, it is predictable that G7 will send clear message against nuclear development. However, the most influential party, China, will not be included in the message to the North. While G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Hiroshima last month delivered strong opposition against unilateral intimidation in South and East China Sea, it is unclear how G7 Summit can deter Chinese advance to Pacific Ocean. Japanese government may be too relying on the power of world leaders’ framework established in the last century.

New Legislation for Ethnic Minority

The government of Japan considers new legislation to support life and education of ethnic minority called Ainu. To the visitors for Tokyo Olympic in 2020, the government tries to show how the Japanese and its minority are peacefully coexisting, sharing the same land. There still is skepticism that Japanese government may not lay substantial measures to improve ordinary life of Ainu.

In the meeting of Ainu Policy Promoting Committee on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga ordered related Ministries to build up organization for considering what would be needed for new legislature. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Koichi Hagiuda, explained that the government would explore what kind of policies were needed for Ainu people in various situations, although he had no clear idea about actual time schedule for the legislation.

The government looks like realizing that traditional policies toward Ainu have not been enough. A working group of the committee presented a report that argued insufficiency of succeeding current policy to eliminate discrimination against Ainu people. The committee decided to name new showcase in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, “Ethnic Co-existence Symbolizing Space,” new museum “National Ainu Ethnic Museum,” and new park “National Ethnic Co-existence Park,” accepting requests from Ainu groups.

The government is making effort to show Japan as an advanced country in ethnic minority policy to the visitors for Tokyo Olympic 2020. After the declaration of United Nations on indigenous people’s rights in 2007, Japanese government realized how minority policy would be focused on in international society. To be a nation living on foreign visitors, Shinzo Abe administration is willing to appeal its kind attitude to human rights of the ethnic minority.

However, the history toward Ainu in Japan has been painted with discrimination. Although the government previously legislated new law for Ainu in 1997, it was strictly limited in promoting cultural activities. Economic aspect of Ainu life was kept on deteriorated and they could not have good education with economic or other reasons. Rights of Ainu on the land or properties, that was taken in the penetration of the Japanese, has not fundamentally been discussed.

Even over the education support, there is a negative argument in the government. Some predict difficulty of identification of Ainu, which has ethnically been mixed with the Japanese to a certain degree. The discussion should not be concluded as hunting for reasons of incapability for progressed minority policy.

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Luxurious Governor

He spends Friday afternoon in his private villa, reserves suite room of hotels in United States, and charges the government for his family trip. Unbelievable behaviors of Governor of Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe, have been going public one after another. Although Masuzoe explained that his way of working must be reasonable, his behavior was far different from common sense of Japanese people. Masuzoe refuses stepping down so far.

It was Weekly Bunshun magazine that revealed hidden life of Masuzoe. Bunshun witnessed Masuzoe leaving his Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office around 2:30 p.m. of Friday April 22^nd and arrived his villa in Yugawara, known as an old spa resort 100 kilometers far from Tokyo, around 6 p.m. “Why Mr. Masuzoe had to go to his villa on 2:30 p.m. of Friday, using the official vehicle?” questioned Bunshun. The magazine quoted a comment of an anonymous official of Tokyo government that argued problem of Masuzoe’s trip from the viewpoint of possible crisis management.

Masuzoe had a trip to New York and Washington, D.C. in the previous week. While internal rule of the office determined the accommodation fee for Governor’s stay in those two cities as ¥40,200, Masuzoe spent about ¥150,000 for each night, according to Bunshun. He explained that he needed suite room for a possible occasion of meeting important person. But, no unscheduled meeting was set during his visit.

Bunshun revealed another scandal in the next issue. In January 2013, when he was a member of House of Councillors, Masuzoe spent ¥237,755 for his family stay in a spa hotel in Chiba. He filed the spending as political money for a meeting. A meeting that cost ¥237,755 must be made with 480 participants, Bunshun calculated. No such meeting was held. Masuzoe also filed about ¥130,000 next January. He made two-night stay in 2013 and one night next year.

In his press conference on Friday, Masuzoe admitted that he partly spent political money for his private purpose. “I had meetings with my staffs in the hotel during my trip. Because I used a room for my family stay that caused misunderstanding, I will return the money,” told and apologized Masuzoe. It is still questionable why he had to have a meeting during his private trip. If it was because he had been too busy, cancel the family trip, please.

What we can realize is that Masuzoe keeps on escaping his office. Luxurious time in his villa or family trip may make him feeling normal. But, top leader often needs to have his staffs close. That is why Japanese Prime Minister or United States President has his official residence. If Masuzoe cannot stay his office for so long, he is not suitable for his job.

What Is Lost in a Month

One month has passed from the first major earthquake in Kumamoto. According to Kumamoto Prefectural Government, 49 people died, 1 is missing and 19 possibly died with collateral damage of the earthquake. 80,657 houses were damaged and about 3,000 houses are still waiting for resumption of water supply. 10,477 people evacuated, leaving their vulnerable houses and spending their days in 244 shelters.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has a standard for anti-earthquake for each houses, which indicates certain strength against earthquake. While the standard was laid for strength against degree 5 earthquake until 1981, the ministry raised the requirement for overcoming degree 6 or 7. The requirement was updated in 2000 with stricter standard for joint parts or improved layout of walls in the house.

However, Kumamoto Earthquake proved that new anti-earthquake standard was not sufficient. According to the research of Asahi Shimbun, 26 out of 139 collapsed houses in Mashiki Town, that suffered from the greatest damages around Kumamoto, had passed new anti-earthquake standard. 207 houses with the old standard survived the consecutive earthquakes as well as 265 with new standard.

Nevertheless, the Ministry refuses to update the standard. “Collapsed houses with new standard were only a part of all. It is too early to review the standard, because the reason of the damage is not clear,” told an officer of the Ministry to Asahi. It is possible that national government will need to find new budget of subsidy for strengthening the houses, if new standard is introduced.

Economic damages still remains. Toyota Motors suffered from broken supply chain, which is extended to all over Japan. Since Kumaoto Factory of Aisin Seiki, that supplied doors for Toyota cars, was shut down after the earthquake, supply of door parts has been in short, in spite of the effort to find alternative resources. Factories for auto cycles of Honda were damaged as severely as they cannot resume the oepration until mid-August. Agriculture in Kumamoto, known as good taste tomato or watermelon, lost ¥134 billion of its expected sales.

Shinzo Abe administration decided supplementary budget to help Kumamoto on Friday, which amounted to ¥778 billion. Not only for reconstruction of damaged land or infrastructure in Kumamoto, the government included budget for building a number of temporary houses for the evacuees, or for rebuilding ordinary life of the people. It is necessary for the administration to make their best for Kumamoto, putting political maneuver for constitutional amendment or other agenda aside.