Policy Speech Bold Enough

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made policy speeches to both Houses of the Diet on the opening day of extraordinary session on Monday. Having achieved two-third majority for constitutional amendment in the election of House of Councillors in July, Abe stressed necessity of discussion for new constitution. On economy, he promised his efforts to escape from deflation. All the people can hope is a nation suffering from slowdown in international competition, anyway.

It is unusual for the leader of the executive branch to require acceleration of discussion over constitutional amendment. Abe did it. “How does the Constitution have to be? It is not the government, but the people, to decide. To present a draft to the nation is responsibility of lawmakers,” told Abe in his speech, encouraging positive discussion in the Diet.

With two-third majority in each of two Houses, which is a basic condition to take initiative for national referendum for constitutional amendment, Abe hopes to make greater power with some lawmakers in the opposite parties, considering possible backlash from the public in actual process of the amendment. “Let us deepen the discussion in Commissions on the Constitution. Do not fell in brain freeze. Let us bridge to the future with mutual efforts to look for idea,” demanded Abe.

The greatest opposite party, Democratic Party, led by new female President, Renho, is opposing constitutional amendment under the leadership of Abe administration. The party requires Liberal Democratic Party to back of their original draft of new constitution, which is retrospectively conservative with provisions for limiting human rights under governmental power. As long as LDP keeps the draft on the table, discussion over constitution will not make any progress, even how the leading party possesses two-third majority.

On economy, Abe stressed Japan’s responsibility for international growth and stability of market. “Accelerating Abenomics, I will increase the speed for escaping from deflation,” said Abe with determination to mobilize every possible policy. However, Bank of Japan in fact abandoned the inflation target of 2% growth in commodity price. Trans-Pacific Partnership is not accepted both candidates of United States Presidential election. Elements of Abenomics are mostly suffering from negative perspectives.

One thing Abe relies on is diplomacy on Russia. “I will put a period on this extraordinary situation, in which we do not have peace treaty after seventy-one years from the end of war,” said Abe to the lawmakers. However, the fact is that Russia has not shown any sign to make compromise on their territory issue. Self-confidence of Abe looks like baseless.