TOKYO — New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba began his first policy speech on Friday, expressing deep regret over the ruling party’s slush fund scandal that dogged his predecessor.
Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida on Tuesday with the most important task of swiftly quelling public anger over the Liberal Democratic Party’s financial irregularities and regaining support ahead of the October 27 parliamentary elections.
Ishiba said, “I will realize politics for the people, not for politicians,” and promised that members would abide by the rules and provide honest explanations.
He established five policy pillars, including security, economy, and disaster resilience.
Ishiba said that under the framework of the Japan-U.S. Security Alliance, Japan will strengthen its military capabilities to protect Japan from threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
He did not mention the two goals he had advocated before taking office: making the Japan-U.S. security alliance fairer and establishing a NATO-like collective defense system in Asia, but this is clearly something that the Liberal Democratic Party is committed to. This appears to be to avoid controversy before the election, which must be won.
Omitting such a goal also avoids the possibility that he would annoy Washington, but it may also disappoint those who saw him as willing to speak out at the risk of causing dissension within his own party. There is a possibility that
Mr. Ishiba pointed to last month’s incursions into Japanese airspace by Chinese and Russian fighter jets, as well as North Korea’s advances in missile technology and testing, as examples of the deteriorating security environment facing Japan. emphasized the need.
He said he would promote “mutually beneficial strategic relations” with China and strengthen communication at all levels to build “stable and constructive” relations. He also said he would further strengthen and expand relations between Japan and South Korea and trilateral cooperation between Japan and the United States.
He said the Japan-U.S. Security Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security, and the foundation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community.
According to Japanese media, Ishiba’s public approval rating when he first took office as prime minister was around 50% or less, the lowest level for a new leader.
Opposition leaders have criticized him for simply adding a new face and fresh image to the party, and for rushing to hold elections without any tangible results. He plans to dissolve parliament next Wednesday and allow only a few days of debate on his policies ahead of an October 27 election.
On the economy, Ishiba said in his speech that he would call for sustainable salary increases for workers that exceed the rate of inflation, and encourage investment to create a “virtuous cycle of growth and distribution.” He promised economic support for low-income households, regional revitalization, and disaster prevention measures.
Although he previously supported the move away from nuclear power following the Fukushima disaster, he said he wants to maximize the use of nuclear energy and replace it with geothermal and other of renewable resources.
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