We will take the idea of "coexistence" as our philosophy for building a new nation, and transform Japan into a "fair nation" that is logical in every way. In order to achieve this, we will aim for each Japanese person to become self-reliant and moreover to become self-reliant as a nation.
In terms of domestic politics, we will promote the realisation of a free, transparent and open economy and society in order to increase the social vitality of our nation, and to maintain a mature economy and society. Central government will limit direct intervention and control of the market to the minimum and concentrate on creating and implementing fair regulations. At the same time, we believe that establishing a safety net that ensures social stability is an important prerequisite for free competition. Consolidating this safety net in order to eliminate inequalities is the most important challenge for DPJ politics. In order to achieve this, we will first construct a "Japanese-style safety net" covering employment, social security, food and the like. Through this we will build a society that will protect the lives and livelihoods of all its people, a society in which a variety of people can live together, and the overwhelming majority of people can lead safe and secure lives.
In terms of diplomacy, Japan, having expressed remorse for the last war, will take the lead in promoting as our national policy the achievement of "coexistence" between human beings and between nation states, in other words ensuring peace for Japan and for the world, and "coexistence" between human beings and the natural world, in other words preserving the global environment.
Furthermore, we will build equal relationships based on mutual trust with countries around the world and promote a peaceful, free and open international community. In particular, we will create a true alliance of equals with the United States and nurture a relationship of trust with China, South Korea and other Asian nations.
As a result of the unprincipled and irresponsible politics practised over many years by the Liberal Democratic Party, our country's foundations are starting to collapse, our national virtues are disappearing and the spiritual desolation of our people is reaching its limits. Moreover, people's dissatisfaction with the status quo and anxiety about the future has seen the rise of "inflammatory politics" with extremist leanings, and Japan's crisis has become even more serious.
By rebuilding Japan from her foundations, and establishing new structures and new rules, we will preserve Japan's virtues, and create a basic structure that will enable her to continue on in peace and stability into the 21st century. As a first step, in order to make Japan into a truly democratic nation state, we will break down the ever increasing bureaucratic control of politics and establish a parliamentary democracy in which politicians, as the representatives of our sovereigns the people, determine and implement politics of their own volition. By these means we will engage in "sensible politics" that give stability and security both domestically and internationally, and transform Japan into a "normal nation". |
