Prime Minister Ishiba's Vision for a "Pleasant Japan"
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened the first regular session of the Diet under his administration on January 24th with a policy speech emphasizing the importance of regional development and sustainability. Recognizing the need to transform Japan into a sustainable socioeconomic system amidst a declining population, Ishiba outlined his vision for a "Reiwa's reform of the Japanese archipelago."
Ishiba acknowledged the projected decline of Japan's working-age population by approximately 15 million over the next 20 years. Drawing inspiration from the late economist Taichi Sakaiya's concept of a "third Japan," Ishiba proposed a shift in national values towards a "pleasant Japan" where individuals pursue their dreams, rural areas thrive through collaboration, and security and happiness are guaranteed for all.
To achieve this vision, Ishiba positioned regional development at the core of his policies. Unlike past initiatives focused on hard infrastructure, Ishiba's plan emphasizes "soft infrastructure" to attract people and create a multipolar, decentralized economy. This includes making local regions attractive to young people and women, fostering relocation of industry and academia, developing new industries and innovation, and promoting broad-based cooperation beyond prefectural borders.
In the area of diplomacy and security, Ishiba expressed his desire to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance through collaboration on security and economic issues. He also prioritized wage increases exceeding price hikes and addressing concerns about the social security system.
Acknowledging the LDP's minority status in the Diet, Ishiba emphasized the need for cooperation with opposition parties. He expressed his commitment to building consensus across party lines and engaging in sincere policy discussions that reflect diverse voices. Regarding political reform, Ishiba called for discussions beyond party boundaries but did not provide specifics on corporate and group donations or the issue of selective surnames for married couples.