Creating an Upright Society
To release the energy within each and every person and the energy within the regions, and restore Japan's vitality, the first thing that politics must do is to make a substantial shift in the direction of the nation towards a decentralised society in which local issues are decided locally, in the regions themselves. There should be a change in the conception of governance to one in which the central government handles only those matters that the regions cannot, for example creating the basic framework of the social security system, macroeconomic management, crisis management, and foreign policy. Within the regions, while giving one another mutual support, people will be able to care for their children and families and to achieve affluent lifestyles through the exercise of their own will. More than any other party, the DPJ strongly advocates the creation of a decentralised Japan.
The second task for politics is to create a society in which we entrust to markets the things that markets do best, and the vitality of the people is invigorated by economic activity. I believe that free competition through markets generates economic vigour, gives birth to new industries and employment, and creates a wide choice of jobs and occupations. The role of the state should be limited to removing regulations, eliminating excessive interference by government agencies, laying down rules to assure fair competition, and exercising oversight. It is essential to realign the Japanese economy into a framework in which the vitality of the people engages in healthy competition under the aegis of these fair-trading rules.
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Third, the most important role of politics is to create a fair society in which great importance is given to individual freedoms. Examples of what I mean by a fair society are a deeply compassionate society with an extensive middle class, a society in which mutual respect is paid to diverse lifestyles, a society in which freedom of choice is guaranteed impartially, a society that carries out its responsibilities to future generations, a society in which people who work faithfully are rewarded, a society in which people who fail are given plenty of chances to try again, and a society that extends a helping hand to people who have not succeeded in gaining a reward for their efforts. We must build this kind of free and fair society: this upright society.
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As a parent of three children, I myself feel that education has a major role to play in creating this kind of society: one that passes on a brighter future to the next generation. Just as a great deal of energy has been channelled into economic growth up until now, from now on Japan must channel more energy into the rearing and education of people.
Today, something that politics must tackle with great seriousness is diplomacy. Too little importance has been give to international cooperation centred on the United Nations. Even while basing our stance on reality, ideals must never be forgotten. Japan-US relations will remain very important to Japan's national security, but it is essential above all else to create a relationship of independence and equality between our two nations. The foundation of diplomacy lies in mutual interaction, confidence-building, and the building of cooperative relationships with neighbouring countries. Japan will not be able to achieve independent diplomacy and genuine national security unless it reestablishes itself as a nation that is truly part of Asia, and keeps in step with the times by developing more advanced relationships with South Korea, China, and the ASEAN countries.
Boldness in Fulfilling Our Responsibilities to the Future
In the last general election the DPJ, thanks to widespread support among the people, was acknowledged as one of the two major parties constituting a two-party system. For this House of Councillors election, we hope that this manifesto will serve to further deepen understanding of the DPJ's thinking and policies. It is my strong hope that more and more people come to recognise that it is the DPJ that will speak frankly with the people of Japan, eye to eye, about exactly the things they want to discuss, even difficult issues, and that will fulfil with them our responsibilities to the Japan of the future.
It is no good thinking that someone else will change things. It is only through your choice based on your will that this country can be changed. Let us, together, move forward boldly in fulfilling our responsibilities to the future.
| June 24, 2004 |
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| Katsuya Okada |
President
Democratic Party of Japan |
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