 |
2014/04/08
Kaieda gives speech at Brookings Institution
|
On April 8 (the early hours of April 9 Japan time), DPJ President Banri Kaieda gave a speech entitled ‘Perspectives on Japanese Politics and the Future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance’ at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. during a visit to the United States.
At the beginning of his speech, Kaieda introduced the background behind the founding of the DPJ, and its basic philosophy, saying that the party aimed at (1) balancing of social justice and economic vitality, (2) and a nation state built on diversity and openness, as well as (3) fulfilling its responsibility towards national security and international peace. He went on to touch on the current political situation, saying that while opposition parties were fragmented, creating a state of ikkyo tajaku or ‘one strong party surrounded by many weak parties’, he was convinced that if the DPJ, which has experience of holding the reins of government, upholds the values of the democratic centre and is able to achieve a revival, it can form the nucleus of the political realignment of Japan.
With regard to economic policy, Kaieda said that income disparities and economic disparities are increasing among the people under the so-called Abenomics. He said that the DPJ had been pursuing a policy of creating a broad middle class and would promote investment in education and employment for eliminating such disparities. He went on to say that the DPJ-led government had placed importance on the maintenance of fiscal discipline, and throughout their time in office, had improved the primary balance on the basis of settlement reports, as well as deciding on a consumption tax increase for the stability and enhancement of social security. He sounded a warning bell, saying that the current Abe administration’s pork barrel approach threatens to undermine the effects of the tax increase, and that if it continues to proceed with this approach, then this could affect the interest on government bonds, and Abenomics’ exit strategy may become unworkable.
On the subject of understanding of history, Kaieda expressed his clear rejection of historical revisionism, and stated that the DPJ would adhere to the Kono Statement and the Murayama Statement. He stated that the DPJ would safeguard the mature democracy fostered by post-war Japanese society. Kaieda went on to state that this kind of a long-standing and sincere understanding of history has served as the foundation of Japan’s friendly relationship with the United States. Japan and the United States, he said, have been allies for over half a century since fighting against each other as enemies. He stressed that this understanding of history is like a shared value between Japan and the United States regarding diplomatic security and said he was convinced that in a multipolar international community, the two countries can overcome the limitations of a short-sighted view of national interests, by sharing principles that extend beyond the nationalistic and xenophobic trends worldwide. On this basis, as the United States adopts a policy of rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific, Kaieda stressed that he hoped to hold talks with the United States regarding how the Japan-US alliance should be deepened, and said that there are an infinite number of issues the two countries should be working on together. At the same time, Kaieda said that the DPJ will work to build trust with Japan’s neighbouring countries based on a correct understanding of history, stressing that as neighbouring countries, they have no other choice but to live together and flourish together. He said the DPJ would stand ready to make efforts to establish future-oriented relations with its neighbours.
In the conclusion of his speech, Kaieda said that Japan would never forget the tireless efforts and invaluable contribution that the U.S. forces in Japan and the Pacific Command made through Operation Tomodachi to the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. He finished by expressing his hope that Japan can foster mutual friendship and common values in cooperation with the United States, and that the two countries can work together towards the peace and prosperity of the world and of the Pacific region.
In the following discussion, Kaieda courteously explained the DPJ’s position on a variety of issues, in particular relating to economic policy and the TPP, as well as the resumption of operations at nuclear power plants in Japan.
|
|
|
 |
|
