[From September Issue 2013]

Following on from their success in the elections for the House of Representatives last December, the Liberal Democratic Party led by the 96th Prime Minister, ABE Shinzo, won another resounding victory in the elections for the House of Councilors this July. Because of this, the new coalition government, formed with the New Komeito party, now occupies the majority of seats in both houses. Advocating policies that prioritize bringing an end to deflation, Prime Minister Abe has set out to revive Japan’s economy. In addition, he’s decided to participate in the TPP (Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement) – an agreement that covers 40% of global trade.

Aiming to expand trade while protecting domestic agriculture, the Abe government’s negotiations for the TPP have exceeded the expectations of the USA and of other member countries. Meanwhile, the regime is promoting the export of social infrastructure construction, such as nuclear power stations and railroads. However, with the cleanup phase of the Fukushima nuclear power accident still not complete, many citizens have doubts about exporting nuclear power stations and about restarting nuclear power plants for economic gain.

In diplomacy, in order to deal with the ongoing tension with China, Abe is strengthening friendly relations and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries. With an eye to the security of Japan, he is also trying to strengthen ties with the USA. In connection to this matter he has a powerful desire to amend the constitution in order to evoke the right to collective self-defense, converting the self-defense force into a national defense force. However, this is strongly opposed.

A rise in consumer taxes is expected next year, but many people are anxious about this as it might lead to a downturn in trade. Though the Abe government faces many difficult issues, it won a landslide victory. The reason for this is the current electoral system and the fact that people prioritize economic recovery. In fact, in the single-seat constituency elections for the House of Councilors, there were fewer votes for the ruling parties than for the opposition parties.

According to a survey by Asahi Shimbun conducted after the elections for the House of Councilors, only 17% people believed that “approval of the LDP” was the reason for the LDP’s landslide victory. Conversely, 66% stated that, “The opposition parties were not attractive.” In the elections for the House of Representatives four years ago, the opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), won a historic victory. If Abe’s government fails to rebuild the Japanese economy, it will share the same fate as the DPJ.

Prime Minister Abe’s Roots

Prime Minister Abe was born into a renowned political dynasty. His father is ABE Shintaro who was a foreign minister. Vital in deciding the fate of Japan during the cold war between East and West, the amendment of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was successfully carried out by his grandfather, KISHI Nobusuke the 56th and 57th prime minister. Historic demonstrations strongly opposing the revision occurred, but he persevered in his belief saying, “A silent voice kept me going.”

His granduncle SATO Eisaku was the 61st – 63rd prime minister. Sato received the Nobel Peace Prize for upholding the three anti-nuclear principles, i.e. non-production, non-possession and non-introduction of nuclear weapons, in Japan. He brought about the restoration of Okinawa from America and served the longest consecutive term as prime minister in history.

Prime Minister Abe was sworn in as the 90th prime minister in 2006, but suddenly resigned after about one year for health reasons. This is his second attempt and demonstrates his intention to resurrect a “strong Japan.” Diplomatically he takes a hardline stance.

[2013年9月号掲載記事]

安倍晋三第96代総理が率いる自民党は、昨年12月の衆議院選挙に続き7月の参議院選挙でも大勝しました。これにより、公明党との連立内閣の議席数は両院で過半数を占めました。安倍総理は強い日本経済の復活を掲げ、デフレ経済の解消を最優先とする政策を打ち出しています。また、世界市場の4割を占めるTPP（環太平洋戦略的経済連携協定）への参加を決めました。

安倍内閣はアメリカをはじめ各国の思惑が交差するTPP交渉で、農業を守りながら貿易の拡大を目指します。一方で、原発や鉄道建設などの社会インフラの輸出も進めています。しかし、いまだ福島の原発事故の処理ができていない段階で、経済的理由から原発の輸出や再開を容認する意向には多くの国民は疑問を持っています。

外交では、中国との緊張関係を踏まえて東南アジア諸国とは友好関係、経済協力を強めています。日本の安全保障面ではアメリカとの関係をより強化しようとしています。それに関連して自衛隊を国防軍に替え、集団的自衛権を行使できるように憲法を改正する強い意欲を持っています。しかし、それにも強い反対があります。

来年には消費税の値上げが予定されていますが、景気後退につながると多くの国民が心配しています。安倍内閣が多くの諸問題を抱えているもかかわらず、選挙で大勝しました。その理由は現在の選挙制度と、国民の景気回復最優先願望にあります。実際には参議院の選挙区選挙で与党への投票数は野党の合計より少なかったのです。

朝日新聞の参議院選挙後の調査では、自民党が大勝した理由を「自民党が評価された」と答えたのは、わずか17％でした。反対に、「野党に魅力がなかった」とする人は66％でした。4年前の衆議院選挙では、野党の民主党が歴史的に大勝を遂げました。安倍内閣が経済を立て直すことができなければ民主党と同じ道が待っています。

安倍総理大臣のルーツ

安倍総理は華麗な政治家一族に生まれました。父は外務大臣を務めた安倍晋太郎。祖父は東西冷戦下にあった日本の進路を決める日米安保条約改正を遂行した第56～57代総理大臣の岸信介です。この改正をめぐって歴史に残る反対デモが繰り広げられましたが、「声なき声が支持している」と信念を貫きました。

第61～63代総理大臣の佐藤栄作は大叔父にあたります。「核兵器を持たず、造らず、日本へ持ち込ませず」の非核三原則を堅持したとしてノーベル平和賞を受賞しました。アメリカからの沖縄返還を実現させ、連続での歴代最長の総理任期を務めました。

安倍総理は2006年に第90代総理大臣になりましたが、病気を理由に任期1年たらずで突然辞任しました。今回は再チャレンジで、「強い日本」の復活への意欲を見せています。外交的には、タカ派といわれます。