Looking Squarely at the Future
"My expectations towards new Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto and
new Special Advisor Takayoshi Igarashi"
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/03/20110310.html
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Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future" (Posted on March 10)
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"My expectations towards new Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto and new Special Advisor Takayoshi Igarashi"
Yesterday I appointed Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto to succeed to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the sitting Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Matsumoto was the most qualified to carry on with the existing foreign policy line. I would like him to seamlessly push forward our efforts to address various matters of importance.
There was another noteworthy occasion yesterday when a key letter of appointment was bestowed. Professor Takayoshi Igarashi of Hosei University was appointed Special Advisor to the Cabinet. Professor Igarashi has been an acquaintance of mine ever since I came to know him through a dialogue on land problems appearing in a magazine more than 20 years ago. We also worked on the Basic Act for Land and the formulation of the 1992 draft revisions to the City Planning Act (lawmaker-initiated legislation) together.
Since then, Professor Igarashi has been energetically providing recommendations regarding public works and the revival of local areas as well as, among other things, the extremely long-term policy issues of the nature of politics and public administration geared towards overcoming a society with a declining population. He also shares a sense of impending crisis indicated the graph showing profound changes in the population that I posted to my blog when the current Diet session began.
The issues that the government is now working on are all extremely important ones that will determine the shape of Japan in the future. I want to share with the government once more Professor Igarashi's knowledge and energy towards building the nation. That is the aim of this revision to our human resources. I also look forward to the tremendous cooperation of the Special Advisor team of the National Policy Unit.
Related link
"The beginning of a new Diet session and where we now stand"
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/01/20110125.html
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
domingo, 13 de março de 2011
sábado, 12 de março de 2011
"Prime Minister KAN's BLOG" E-mail Service (March 11, 2011)
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Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
(Posted on March 10)
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"My expectations towards new Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto and new Special Advisor Takayoshi Igarashi"
Yesterday I appointed Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto to succeed to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the sitting Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Matsumoto was the most qualified to carry on with the existing foreign policy line. I would like him to seamlessly push forward our efforts to address various matters of importance.
There was another noteworthy occasion yesterday when a key letter of appointment was bestowed. Professor Takayoshi Igarashi of Hosei University was appointed Special Advisor to the Cabinet. Professor Igarashi has been an acquaintance of mine ever since I came to know him through a dialogue on land problems appearing in a magazine more than 20 years ago. We also worked on the Basic Act for Land and the formulation of the 1992 draft revisions to the City Planning Act (lawmaker-initiated legislation) together.
Since then, Professor Igarashi has been energetically providing recommendations regarding public works and the revival of local areas as well as, among other things, the extremely long-term policy issues of the nature of politics and public administration geared towards overcoming a society with a declining population. He also shares a sense of impending crisis indicated the graph showing profound changes in the population that I posted to my blog when the current Diet session began.
The issues that the government is now working on are all extremely important ones that will determine the shape of Japan in the future. I want to share with the government once more Professor Igarashi's knowledge and energy towards building the nation. That is the aim of this revision to our human resources. I also look forward to the tremendous cooperation of the Special Advisor team of the National Policy Unit.
Related link
"The beginning of a new Diet session and where we now stand"
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/01/20110125.html
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
(Posted on March 10)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"My expectations towards new Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto and new Special Advisor Takayoshi Igarashi"
Yesterday I appointed Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto to succeed to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the sitting Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Matsumoto was the most qualified to carry on with the existing foreign policy line. I would like him to seamlessly push forward our efforts to address various matters of importance.
There was another noteworthy occasion yesterday when a key letter of appointment was bestowed. Professor Takayoshi Igarashi of Hosei University was appointed Special Advisor to the Cabinet. Professor Igarashi has been an acquaintance of mine ever since I came to know him through a dialogue on land problems appearing in a magazine more than 20 years ago. We also worked on the Basic Act for Land and the formulation of the 1992 draft revisions to the City Planning Act (lawmaker-initiated legislation) together.
Since then, Professor Igarashi has been energetically providing recommendations regarding public works and the revival of local areas as well as, among other things, the extremely long-term policy issues of the nature of politics and public administration geared towards overcoming a society with a declining population. He also shares a sense of impending crisis indicated the graph showing profound changes in the population that I posted to my blog when the current Diet session began.
The issues that the government is now working on are all extremely important ones that will determine the shape of Japan in the future. I want to share with the government once more Professor Igarashi's knowledge and energy towards building the nation. That is the aim of this revision to our human resources. I also look forward to the tremendous cooperation of the Special Advisor team of the National Policy Unit.
Related link
"The beginning of a new Diet session and where we now stand"
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/01/20110125.html
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
"Prime Minister KAN's BLOG" E-mail Service (March 9, 2011)
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Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
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"Continual progress by the government: The first "review of government regulations""
The resignation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Maehara is truly regrettable. I am presently working to coordinate matters so as to designate his successor as minister at the earliest possible time. We cannot have any discontinuity in foreign policy.
Regardless of circumstances, there are a number of policy processes proceeding simultaneously within the government at all times. For example, we also held the very first review of government regulations yesterday and the day before. I visited the venue on the first day and observed the discussions there.
This approach of "reviewing" that has been underway since the review of government programs (jigyou shiwake) is something that developed from an attempt within local administrations to reflect the authentic voices of the public as they asked why certain things were impossible to carry out. Especially having arisen from just such a background, there is truly enormous significance in the process itself in which future directions are decided in view of the public through a format that they find acceptable, rather than through discussions by experts behind closed doors.
While the various regulations by the government may at times impede growth, there are also times when they must be formulated rigorously to ensure public safety and peace of mind. (This is why the review meeting also discussed a "strengthening" of regulations addressing malicious solicitations for investments in condominiums, aggressive home visits by precious metals buyers, and so on.)
One example is the discussion on regulations governing the handling of lithium ion batteries that I attended the day before yesterday. Japan enjoys the highest technological level worldwide in this field, and there is a substantial possibility that Japan's approach will become the global standard. In various fields such as electric vehicles, it is imperative that in the future, the desirable state of regulations be discussed from the dual aspects of this "exploitation of their potential" and "ensuring safety." I listened intently to the discussions, thinking that this was a very symbolic issue within the advanced fields Japan is working to develop.
At this meeting, the way the discussions progressed had been improved, such as by inviting participants from relevant businesses, with two hours being spent on each topic, double the length spent until now in other review work. Taking this review process as a catalyst, I hope to link this to further regulatory reforms.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Continual progress by the government: The first "review of government regulations""
The resignation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Maehara is truly regrettable. I am presently working to coordinate matters so as to designate his successor as minister at the earliest possible time. We cannot have any discontinuity in foreign policy.
Regardless of circumstances, there are a number of policy processes proceeding simultaneously within the government at all times. For example, we also held the very first review of government regulations yesterday and the day before. I visited the venue on the first day and observed the discussions there.
This approach of "reviewing" that has been underway since the review of government programs (jigyou shiwake) is something that developed from an attempt within local administrations to reflect the authentic voices of the public as they asked why certain things were impossible to carry out. Especially having arisen from just such a background, there is truly enormous significance in the process itself in which future directions are decided in view of the public through a format that they find acceptable, rather than through discussions by experts behind closed doors.
While the various regulations by the government may at times impede growth, there are also times when they must be formulated rigorously to ensure public safety and peace of mind. (This is why the review meeting also discussed a "strengthening" of regulations addressing malicious solicitations for investments in condominiums, aggressive home visits by precious metals buyers, and so on.)
One example is the discussion on regulations governing the handling of lithium ion batteries that I attended the day before yesterday. Japan enjoys the highest technological level worldwide in this field, and there is a substantial possibility that Japan's approach will become the global standard. In various fields such as electric vehicles, it is imperative that in the future, the desirable state of regulations be discussed from the dual aspects of this "exploitation of their potential" and "ensuring safety." I listened intently to the discussions, thinking that this was a very symbolic issue within the advanced fields Japan is working to develop.
At this meeting, the way the discussions progressed had been improved, such as by inviting participants from relevant businesses, with two hours being spent on each topic, double the length spent until now in other review work. Taking this review process as a catalyst, I hope to link this to further regulatory reforms.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
sexta-feira, 4 de março de 2011
"Prime Minister KAN's BLOG" E-mail Service (March 4, 2011) "
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Prime Minister KAN's TV
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The following are the messages contained in the videos:
"No. 16: [Disclosure] Diplomatic Records, the Chief Cabinet Secretary's Press Conference, and more! Steadily Progressing Information Disclosure"
Narration: Prime Minister Kan's Blog, launched in November of last year, has been accessed over 1 million times. Reflecting back, Prime Minister Kan stressed the importance he has placed on communicating and disclosing information since assuming office.
Prime Minister: I will also work to break down the 'closed door' nature of the government. I more than anyone else am acutely aware of the importance of information disclosure.
Narration: A vast amount of records are stored at the Diplomatic Record Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When it came to power, the Democratic Party of Japan made it a basic rule that diplomatic records more than 30 years old must be disclosed.
Narration: Recently, 606 additional volumes of records were made open to the public through the fourth disclosure based on this rule. Anyone of age 18 and above can view them after following the necessary procedures.
Archivist: I'm working on restoring this old document by applying thin washi paper to both sides.
Narration: In order to protect the documents, thorough checks and repairs are undertaken before they are made open to the public.
Interviewer: Is it alright if I touch this?
Archivist: Yes, no problem.
Interviewer: It can also be waved.
Archivist: Yes.
Narration: The Public Records Act, effective from this April, calls these documents "common intellectual property of the people that supports the foundation of a healthy democratic system." These steady efforts to sustain democracy will continue.
Narration: The Government has not stopped at merely disclosing past records. Yet another step was taken recently to make even more of the latest information available to the public.
Director of Press Office: I kindly ask you to make each question short, so that we can answer questions from as many people as possible.
Narration: It may appear to be just another press conference from the Chief Cabinet Secretary like the ones you have seen on television, but this time a major change in the press seating area has occurred.
Chief Cabinet Secretary: Following the Prime Minister's press conferences, from today onward my press conferences will also be made open to all journalists.
Narration: With the consent of the Japanese National Press Club, freelance journalists are now allowed to attend the press conference and pose questions once a week. Newcomers commented...
Mr. Kudo (J-CAST News): I saw a freelance journalist say on Twitter that the Chief Cabinet Secretary's press conference would also be opened up.
Mr. Imai (freelance journalist): I think it's great that many questions were posed from freelance journalists and those not belonging to the Press Club.
Narration: The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that it is the basic policy of his Cabinet to conduct open press conferences.
Prime Minister: I have approached my own press conferences with the stance that they should be as open as possible. At Cabinet meetings and ministers' meetings I have also been encouraging each minister to approach the matter taking that same orientation, to the extent possible.
Narration: Lastly, on February 26, a Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary exchanged views with prominent bloggers and other opinion leaders.
The Kan Administration will continue efforts for more meaningful communication with the people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
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"Finding a place you belong and a role to play as you begin your new life in society this spring"
The day before yesterday, the quick estimation of the labor force survey for this January was released. I feel that several of the figures reflected the results of my Cabinet continuing to focus steadfastly on employment, employment, and employment ever since its inception.
The number of unemployed persons was 3.09 million, a decrease of 140,000 compared with January 2010. And, while the unemployment rate had exceeded 5% continuously since April 2009, it dropped below 5% to 4.9% this past December for the first time in 21 months and stayed steady at 4.9% in January as well. Looking at the seasonally-adjusted figures, we find that the number of employed persons has been increasing since last November, while the number of unemployed persons has been declining continuously since last October. That said, there has been no change to the fact that we remain squarely in the midst of a severe situation. I intend to stay focused on this issue, strengthening the measures to be taken in local areas.
Above all, we will be engaged in a final push to boost employment of students about to graduate the end of the fiscal year is approaching. More than 120,000 people have already visited the newly-established New Graduate Support Hello Work offices. What's more, between September and December last year, there were over 25,000 cases in which job applicants received employment offers through the assistance of Job Supporters (professionals charged with assisting job seekers during the employment search and subsequent application process), whose numbers I had doubled in September. The number of cases in which special incentive pay was provided to employers hiring young people who had already graduated from school reached 240,000 in total since the end of September.
As we head to the end of this month, we will be reinforcing our support even further by adding yet another hundred Job Supporters and other means. These Job Supporters in each local area are people with a wealth of both life experience and workplace experience. Among them you will find those who are deeply engaged with the troubles of the young job seekers and shed tears of joy when a job offer is landed successfully. Witnessing such things myself at Hello Work centers, I am fully convinced of the significance of these efforts.
To all those of you in the midst of a job search, about to make your way in society, I urge you not to agonize alone. By all means, contact your Hello Work office and make use of these services to find a job in which you can activate your strengths to their fullest.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
Prime Minister KAN's TV
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The following are the messages contained in the videos:
"No. 16: [Disclosure] Diplomatic Records, the Chief Cabinet Secretary's Press Conference, and more! Steadily Progressing Information Disclosure"
Narration: Prime Minister Kan's Blog, launched in November of last year, has been accessed over 1 million times. Reflecting back, Prime Minister Kan stressed the importance he has placed on communicating and disclosing information since assuming office.
Prime Minister: I will also work to break down the 'closed door' nature of the government. I more than anyone else am acutely aware of the importance of information disclosure.
Narration: A vast amount of records are stored at the Diplomatic Record Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When it came to power, the Democratic Party of Japan made it a basic rule that diplomatic records more than 30 years old must be disclosed.
Narration: Recently, 606 additional volumes of records were made open to the public through the fourth disclosure based on this rule. Anyone of age 18 and above can view them after following the necessary procedures.
Archivist: I'm working on restoring this old document by applying thin washi paper to both sides.
Narration: In order to protect the documents, thorough checks and repairs are undertaken before they are made open to the public.
Interviewer: Is it alright if I touch this?
Archivist: Yes, no problem.
Interviewer: It can also be waved.
Archivist: Yes.
Narration: The Public Records Act, effective from this April, calls these documents "common intellectual property of the people that supports the foundation of a healthy democratic system." These steady efforts to sustain democracy will continue.
Narration: The Government has not stopped at merely disclosing past records. Yet another step was taken recently to make even more of the latest information available to the public.
Director of Press Office: I kindly ask you to make each question short, so that we can answer questions from as many people as possible.
Narration: It may appear to be just another press conference from the Chief Cabinet Secretary like the ones you have seen on television, but this time a major change in the press seating area has occurred.
Chief Cabinet Secretary: Following the Prime Minister's press conferences, from today onward my press conferences will also be made open to all journalists.
Narration: With the consent of the Japanese National Press Club, freelance journalists are now allowed to attend the press conference and pose questions once a week. Newcomers commented...
Mr. Kudo (J-CAST News): I saw a freelance journalist say on Twitter that the Chief Cabinet Secretary's press conference would also be opened up.
Mr. Imai (freelance journalist): I think it's great that many questions were posed from freelance journalists and those not belonging to the Press Club.
Narration: The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that it is the basic policy of his Cabinet to conduct open press conferences.
Prime Minister: I have approached my own press conferences with the stance that they should be as open as possible. At Cabinet meetings and ministers' meetings I have also been encouraging each minister to approach the matter taking that same orientation, to the extent possible.
Narration: Lastly, on February 26, a Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary exchanged views with prominent bloggers and other opinion leaders.
The Kan Administration will continue efforts for more meaningful communication with the people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Finding a place you belong and a role to play as you begin your new life in society this spring"
The day before yesterday, the quick estimation of the labor force survey for this January was released. I feel that several of the figures reflected the results of my Cabinet continuing to focus steadfastly on employment, employment, and employment ever since its inception.
The number of unemployed persons was 3.09 million, a decrease of 140,000 compared with January 2010. And, while the unemployment rate had exceeded 5% continuously since April 2009, it dropped below 5% to 4.9% this past December for the first time in 21 months and stayed steady at 4.9% in January as well. Looking at the seasonally-adjusted figures, we find that the number of employed persons has been increasing since last November, while the number of unemployed persons has been declining continuously since last October. That said, there has been no change to the fact that we remain squarely in the midst of a severe situation. I intend to stay focused on this issue, strengthening the measures to be taken in local areas.
Above all, we will be engaged in a final push to boost employment of students about to graduate the end of the fiscal year is approaching. More than 120,000 people have already visited the newly-established New Graduate Support Hello Work offices. What's more, between September and December last year, there were over 25,000 cases in which job applicants received employment offers through the assistance of Job Supporters (professionals charged with assisting job seekers during the employment search and subsequent application process), whose numbers I had doubled in September. The number of cases in which special incentive pay was provided to employers hiring young people who had already graduated from school reached 240,000 in total since the end of September.
As we head to the end of this month, we will be reinforcing our support even further by adding yet another hundred Job Supporters and other means. These Job Supporters in each local area are people with a wealth of both life experience and workplace experience. Among them you will find those who are deeply engaged with the troubles of the young job seekers and shed tears of joy when a job offer is landed successfully. Witnessing such things myself at Hello Work centers, I am fully convinced of the significance of these efforts.
To all those of you in the midst of a job search, about to make your way in society, I urge you not to agonize alone. By all means, contact your Hello Work office and make use of these services to find a job in which you can activate your strengths to their fullest.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
"Prime Minister KAN's BLOG" E-mail Service (March 3, 2011)
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Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
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"Decreasing the number of suicides through the strength of society and the strength of the government"
Yesterday, the ninth meeting of the Council on Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Suicide was held. My Cabinet, which advocates the creation of "a society with the least unhappiness", considers measures to prevent suicide to be a matter of great importance. We have set up every conceivable consultation window at various ministries and have been providing consultations in order to be able to engage with the concerns of each individual with care at the closest point of interface.
The results of this have come to be seen little by little, with the number of suicides last year falling below 32,000 (as a provisional figure) for the first time in nine years. I intend for us to step up our efforts still further so that this year the number falls below 30,000. At yesterday’s meeting, the Council decided to extend the activities of the Task Force comprised of relevant ministers, whose mission had been scheduled to expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and launched concrete activities in conjunction with the start of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
While it has been pointed out that to decrease the number of suicides the most important thing is to revive the economy, that alone is insufficient. What is important is that all people have a place where they belong and a role to play. Families and communities and Japan as a country must actively build a society that embraces everyone warmly, abandoning no one. It will be imperative to work in collaboration with the Task Force Team for a Society Inclusive of Individuals established in January this year.
I urge anyone who is distressed to visit the consultation windows that the government has provided. And, if there are people around you who seem distressed, have the courage to encourage them to seek assistance. The government will do its utmost to respond.
Related links
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
http://www8.cao.go.jp/jisatsutaisaku/kyoukagekkan/march.html
Task Force Team for a Society Inclusive of Individuals
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/01/20110124.html
List of Consultation Windows
http://www8.cao.go.jp/jisatsutaisaku/link/soudan.html
(Some of the website linked from this post are provided in Japanese only)
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Decreasing the number of suicides through the strength of society and the strength of the government"
Yesterday, the ninth meeting of the Council on Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Suicide was held. My Cabinet, which advocates the creation of "a society with the least unhappiness", considers measures to prevent suicide to be a matter of great importance. We have set up every conceivable consultation window at various ministries and have been providing consultations in order to be able to engage with the concerns of each individual with care at the closest point of interface.
The results of this have come to be seen little by little, with the number of suicides last year falling below 32,000 (as a provisional figure) for the first time in nine years. I intend for us to step up our efforts still further so that this year the number falls below 30,000. At yesterday’s meeting, the Council decided to extend the activities of the Task Force comprised of relevant ministers, whose mission had been scheduled to expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and launched concrete activities in conjunction with the start of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
While it has been pointed out that to decrease the number of suicides the most important thing is to revive the economy, that alone is insufficient. What is important is that all people have a place where they belong and a role to play. Families and communities and Japan as a country must actively build a society that embraces everyone warmly, abandoning no one. It will be imperative to work in collaboration with the Task Force Team for a Society Inclusive of Individuals established in January this year.
I urge anyone who is distressed to visit the consultation windows that the government has provided. And, if there are people around you who seem distressed, have the courage to encourage them to seek assistance. The government will do its utmost to respond.
Related links
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
http://www8.cao.go.jp/jisatsutaisaku/kyoukagekkan/march.html
Task Force Team for a Society Inclusive of Individuals
http://kansblog.kantei.go.jp/2011/01/20110124.html
List of Consultation Windows
http://www8.cao.go.jp/jisatsutaisaku/link/soudan.html
(Some of the website linked from this post are provided in Japanese only)
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
terça-feira, 1 de março de 2011
"Prime Minister KAN's BLOG" E-mail Service (March 1, 2011)
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Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"The budget bill passes the House of Representatives - now, let's reach an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties at all costs"
Early this morning, the budget bill for fiscal 2011 passed the House of Representatives. The enactment of the budget before the end of the current fiscal year has now become a certainty.
We will now begin to focus on budget deliberations in the House of Councillors and deliberations on budget-related bills in the House of Representatives. I will be resolutely engaged in consultations on the budget-related bills until we reach an agreement between the ruling and the opposition parties.
There are many similarities between the current state of affairs and the "Financial Diet" of 1998. But conversely to the current situation, at that time the divided Diet had the LDP as the ruling
party with a majority in the House of Representatives, with opposition parties, centered on the DPJ, controlling the House of Councillors. The "bridge bank bill" (designed to create state-owned
receiver banks, known as "bridge banks," to administer the assets and liabilities of failed banks) submitted by the government and the ruling party was a test of strength in which the bill simply could not be enacted as is. However, had that sort of political deadlock been dragged out indefinitely, it would have been entirely possible for a run on a large bank to occur. We were on the brink of a Japan-triggered financial crisis possibly evolving.
It was with that sense of crisis that the ruling and the opposition parties ultimately came to choose a path of "policies over politics," in which we worked in cooperation despite the divided Diet to enact the Financial Revitalization Act (using the version put forth by our side), thereby successfully avoiding a financial crisis.
In this case as well, I will be devoting further effort to achieving agreement between the ruling and the opposition parties regarding the budget-related bills in order to protect the lives of the people at all costs.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
Prime Minister KAN's BLOG "Looking Squarely at the Future"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"The budget bill passes the House of Representatives - now, let's reach an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties at all costs"
Early this morning, the budget bill for fiscal 2011 passed the House of Representatives. The enactment of the budget before the end of the current fiscal year has now become a certainty.
We will now begin to focus on budget deliberations in the House of Councillors and deliberations on budget-related bills in the House of Representatives. I will be resolutely engaged in consultations on the budget-related bills until we reach an agreement between the ruling and the opposition parties.
There are many similarities between the current state of affairs and the "Financial Diet" of 1998. But conversely to the current situation, at that time the divided Diet had the LDP as the ruling
party with a majority in the House of Representatives, with opposition parties, centered on the DPJ, controlling the House of Councillors. The "bridge bank bill" (designed to create state-owned
receiver banks, known as "bridge banks," to administer the assets and liabilities of failed banks) submitted by the government and the ruling party was a test of strength in which the bill simply could not be enacted as is. However, had that sort of political deadlock been dragged out indefinitely, it would have been entirely possible for a run on a large bank to occur. We were on the brink of a Japan-triggered financial crisis possibly evolving.
It was with that sense of crisis that the ruling and the opposition parties ultimately came to choose a path of "policies over politics," in which we worked in cooperation despite the divided Diet to enact the Financial Revitalization Act (using the version put forth by our side), thereby successfully avoiding a financial crisis.
In this case as well, I will be devoting further effort to achieving agreement between the ruling and the opposition parties regarding the budget-related bills in order to protect the lives of the people at all costs.
===================================================================
Publication : Cabinet Public Relations Office
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, Japan
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