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.