Consumer Agency? "Low-carbon society"? What pensions?
Update: Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's speech has been posted in English on the Kantei website. I like the way he introduces the consumer issues, with the consumer as "the protagonist". This is very different from the current way of thinking, where ordinary people were to be "protected". He notes that in order to give new vitality to the people and enhance their quality of life, Japan must revise the laws, systems, as well as administration policy and politics, all of which have been created from the standpoint of producers and suppliers, and make these truly centered on the public interest. He even admits that there has been a succession of cases where administrative institutions and public organizations, established for the safety and welfare of the people, have rather acted to the detriment of the people.
Japan cannot exist without amicable relations, including vigorous trade, with foreign countries. The peace and stability of the world is extremely important for Japan. Furthermore, from a broader perspective, we need to earnestly address the issue of the global environment in order to sustain our future livelihood on a global scale. To achieve these objectives, we must:
1) "Shift to administrative and financial policies that put the people first" to realize a society in which the people and the consumers play the leading roles.
2) "Establish a social security system and ensure safety" so that the people can live with a sense of security.
3) "Create an economic society with vitality" in which the people can feel affluence.
4) "Make Japan a Peace Fostering Nation" that plays an active role in addressing global issues.
5) "Convert to a low carbon society" which enables prevention of global warming and economic growth at the same time.
Yomiuri is not very happy about the speech, noting that it lacked details, and that Mr. Fukuda "served up nothing more than a list of conventional policies devoid of anything that will inspire the public". Asahi also seems unimpressed, and wants "constructive arguments" to be developed, while warning that Japan could get caught up in a debate about the gasoline taxes.
Time for change.
You can watch the speech (in Japanese) on Yahoo News.
Japan cannot exist without amicable relations, including vigorous trade, with foreign countries. The peace and stability of the world is extremely important for Japan. Furthermore, from a broader perspective, we need to earnestly address the issue of the global environment in order to sustain our future livelihood on a global scale. To achieve these objectives, we must:
1) "Shift to administrative and financial policies that put the people first" to realize a society in which the people and the consumers play the leading roles.
2) "Establish a social security system and ensure safety" so that the people can live with a sense of security.
3) "Create an economic society with vitality" in which the people can feel affluence.
4) "Make Japan a Peace Fostering Nation" that plays an active role in addressing global issues.
5) "Convert to a low carbon society" which enables prevention of global warming and economic growth at the same time.
Yomiuri is not very happy about the speech, noting that it lacked details, and that Mr. Fukuda "served up nothing more than a list of conventional policies devoid of anything that will inspire the public". Asahi also seems unimpressed, and wants "constructive arguments" to be developed, while warning that Japan could get caught up in a debate about the gasoline taxes.
Time for change.
You can watch the speech (in Japanese) on Yahoo News.
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