Abe must get teeth into reform plans

At the beginning of his policy speech at the Diet on Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would boldly restructure the postwar regime by "returning to the starting line."

We eagerly await to see how he puts these words of determination into action. We hope he provides sufficient explanations of the content and process of the reforms he is seeking, and discusses them in depth at the Diet.

"We shouldn't just hold fast to Japan's successful postwar model," Abe said. His comment signaled he believes many of the country's basic frameworks simply cannot keep up with change in the modern world.

The revisions to the Constitution that Abe advocates will require him to clearly spell out the state image of a new Japan. Accomplishing this first task is imperative if our nation is to free itself from the postwar regime. To do so, Abe must pass a national referendum bill at the Diet because the planned law will define the procedure for revising the top law.

Abe has made no secret of the fact that he considers education reform--although he prefers to use the term "education rebuilding"--is his Cabinet's top priority. With revisions to the Fundamental Law of Education completed in the previous Diet session, he will tackle a review of the so-called cram-free education system, and revisions to education-related laws to restructure the public education system.

One such measure is introducing a system to renew teachers' licenses at regular intervals. "The quality of teachers holds the key to rebuilding education," Abe said in his speech. He should proceed with education reform that actually accomplishes its intended objectives.

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Security policy in spotlight

Turning to foreign and security policies, Abe spoke of further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and restructuring the "legal framework for security measures that are appropriate for the times."

To do so, the first task awaiting his administration is to enable the nation "to exercise the right of collective self-defense." At present, according to the Cabinet Legislation Bureau's interpretation, Japan has this right, but is not allowed under the Constitution to exercise it. Abe said he would "push forward with studies into specific cases" in which the right to collective self-defense could be exercised. We think these studies should be a starting point, not an end to the process.

The Self-Defense Forces' cooperation in international peacekeeping activities was upgraded into one of the SDF's primary duties at the same time as the Defense Agency was upgraded to a full ministry this month. Abe also should set the ball rolling on discussions to establish a permanent law to realize swift overseas dispatches of SDF members on PKO missions.

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Put people at ease

In a society with a declining population, the government must build sound social security systems, including pension and health insurance systems, that give the people peace of mind.

The prime minister has introduced a policy to promote a new growth strategy with technical innovation at its core and boldly carry out various administrative reform measures, including reform of the public servant system. All of these matters are equally important and must produce results.

At the end of his policy speech, Abe quoted Yukichi Fukuzawa, a 19th century political theorist and the founder of Keio University. The words touched on the importance of daring to challenge difficulties, and not flinching from them.

If Abe wants to quote Fukuzawa, he must explain why he postponed discussions on drastic reforms of the nation's taxation system, including consumption tax, until autumn at the earliest. His intentions in this regard are somewhat puzzling.

Abe needs to squarely face up to daunting problems that lie ahead--and devise policies to overcome them.

A House of Councillors election will be held after the current ordinary Diet session. We hope our nation's politicians will not narrow-mindedly focus on their parties' election strategies during the Diet session, but will see the bigger picture and thoroughly discuss the path this country should take in the future.