Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Delivers First Policy Speech

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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Delivers First Policy Speech

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's inaugural policy speech on October 4th marked a significant moment in his tenure as he addressed the need to rebuild trust in politics, specifically in light of the recent LDP slush fund scandal that eroded public confidence. During his address to the Lower House, Ishiba set forth ambitious objectives centered around expanding regional development and establishing a disaster prevention agency, reflecting his personal priorities and dedication to addressing pressing issues.

Acknowledging the gravity of the slush fund scandal, Ishiba expressed deep regret and underlined his intention to confront all implicated Diet members, urging them to reflect on their actions and advocating for the establishment of a stringent code of ethics to uphold accountability and transparency in political practices. Drawing on his past experience as the minister in charge of regional development, Ishiba outlined his vision for revitalizing regional economies, labeling this initiative as "regional development 2.0" and emphasizing the pivotal role of local regions in driving overall growth. In line with this, he proposed a substantial increase in grants for regional development in the upcoming budget and introduced plans for a dedicated headquarters to oversee regional economies and living conditions, aligning with the digital rural city-state concept proposed by the previous administration.

Additionally, Ishiba delved into the creation of a disaster prevention agency, a proposal he had championed during the LDP presidential campaign, emphasizing the imperative of building a nation resilient to disasters and swiftly responsive to emergencies to prioritize human life above all. Touching on economic policy, the new prime minister affirmed continuity with the Kishida administration's economic strategies, aiming for a growth-centric economy propelled by wage hikes and increased investment to combat deflation while swiftly devising economic measures to support low-income households in navigating the challenges of rising prices. Addressing diplomatic and security concerns, Ishiba voiced his commitment to upholding the international rule of law and strengthening regional security through the Japan-U.S. alliance without explicitly mentioning his pet cause of revising the Status of Forces Agreement. His remarks on constitutional revision were succinct, expressing hopes for constructive discussions by the Commission on the Constitution during his tenure. Plans for questioning sessions in the Lower and Upper Houses following his policy statements and his announcement of the Lower House dissolution on October 9th, with subsequent election activities scheduled, indicate a pivotal juncture in his nascent leadership.