Reasoning Big Lie

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Wednesday that he would delay consumption tax increase for two and a half years from next April. “Now, we need to increase the round of engine and raise the speed of Abenomics to get rid of risks of going back to deflation,” told Abe in his press conference. Meanwhile, he admitted that he broke a promise to the nation, which was never to reschedule it, with no apology. So, who would be responsible for economic policy?

Abe insisted that the world economy had been changed in incredibly high speed and facing great risks. While he used the word of “crisis” in Group of 7 Summit meeting, Abe quoted “risk” for explaining the situation of world economy in the press conference. “The greatest concern is a shadow over emerging economies including China. Emerging or developing economies are harmed by precipitation of commodity price including oil with the level paralleled with Lehman Shock, and furthermore by declined investment,” argued Abe. He emphasized that he shared that notion with the leaders of G7.

Abe actually explained that current situation of world economy was close to that of pre-Lehman era in G7 Summit meeting. Having received sharp criticisms from media on the recognition, the staffs of Abe started dismissing the fact. “Prime Minister had not said such thing as that it was close to pre-Lehman era, but he said he did not want to make the same mistake as not being able to avoid Lehman Shock in Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008,” told Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hiroshige Seko. No one knew that Seko was in charge of eating Prime Minister’s words.

Abe was careful in changing expression. “Although world economy faces great risks, we are not in a situation like Lehman Shock right now, frankly said,” told Abe. Then, he insisted that this was a new decision, even different from his former promise. “If I have to make a different decision from my former statement in taxation policy that has great significance on people’s life, it must be done after hearing voices of the people as long as taxation is democracy.” Well, who did say taxation is democracy? History tells us that democracy has grown in the struggle against taxation.

So, Abe justified his attitude of asking credibility in the election of House of Councillors. He set a line of victory at simple majority by the leading coalition parties. “Achieving firm support in the election, I will further accelerate Abenomics in the fall session of the Diet,” said Abe. It is Japanese citizens who have to ask responsibility of the leadership.