On the afternoon of March 5, Vice President Seiji Maehara welcomed a cross-party delegation of Australian politicians who are visiting Japan.

The DPJ's next minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Teruhiko Mashiko and Vice Director-General of the DPJ's International Department Masamitsu Naito also met the delegation. A lively discussion ensued on a wide range of issues including Japan's falling birth rate and ageing society and various initiatives in the fields of economics, agriculture and the environment.

At the start of the discussions, in response to a question about the prospects for a General Election during the current calendar year, the DPJ lawmakers replied, "we hope there will be an election". Next Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mashiko said that "we want to create a system of two major political parties under which there can be changes in government". He emphasised that the bureaucracy-based politics of the LDP pays little attention to the needs of the people, and that the core philosophy of the DPJ was to promote the devolution of power to the regions and breakdown current systems of central bureaucratic control for the benefit of the Japanese people.

Maehara questioned the government's priorities, referring to its continued reliance on public works and continued budget cutbacks for education and social security. He also pointed out the importance of changing the current centralized power structure by allowing regional governments to take responsibility where possible. He also referred to the DPJ's sense of crisis about the rapid progression of Japan's low birthrate and graying society.

Mashiko also referred to the issues of falling populations in farming communities and the influence of global warming. Naito explained the current problem's with Japan's pension system, and reiterated the DPJ's determination to enact policies that are based on the people's perspectives. Discussions ended on a cordial note.

(08/03/05)