Tragedy into Future Prosperity: Four Aspects of Japan’s Reconstruction
I took part in a symposium held in Sendai on October 31, 2011. Sponsored by the Japan Center for Economic Research, it was called “Envisaging Specific Visions for the Reconstruction of the Tohoku Region.” Murai Yoshihiro, governor of Miyagi Prefecture, delivered a keynote speech in the symposium, discussing his view on the reconstruction. The symposium got me thinking about reconstruction from the devastation left in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Can the new administration overcome another short-life risk?
Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko’s Cabinet has taken office—the third prime minister and administration since the DPJ claimed power in September 2009. The new leader, who is strongly advocating national unity and “wa” (harmony) politics to help the nation recover from the unprecedented disaster of the Great East Japan Earthquake, takes the helm at a time of great political turmoil.
A new administration’s foreign policy—Don’t forget that Japan is a global player!
The Noda Administration has taken office. Much of what the new prime minister identified in the September volume of Bungei Shunjuu as his policy directions is all quite rational, including the idea of placing foremost priority on Asian security and defense under the Japan-U.S. alliance as an “international public good.” The fact that Japan must place utmost importance on its relationship with the U.S. requires no explanation.
Underpinnings for the Post-Disaster Japanese Mindset
With the occurrence of the major disasters on March 11 and the situation thereafter, I believe Japan can be said to find herself in a situation approximating the critical times following surrender on August 15, 1945. Obviously there are major differences between losing a world war and experiencing the major disasters this time; however, it is similar in that the Japanese mindset has been affected deeply by the catastrophes, as was the case for the post-1945 watershed period, in rethinking about the nature of Japanese society and its position in the global community.
Who Can Take the Lead in Reform?
Japan plainly needs to tackle two urgent tasks—reforming the social security system and reining in the growth of public debts. But the administration of Prime Minister Kan Naoto is showing signs of splintering, and his administration is in danger of making an early exit.
Diplomatic Moves with Global Community in Mind
Japan seems trapped in a tricky situation with respect to its ties with China. In formulating its China policy, the nation should build on its alliance with the United States as it also looks to Europe for input on how to effectively position economic ties, cultural diplomacy, humanitarian approaches, and the like within a coherent—and globally minded—overall stance.
The Background to the Senkaku Spat
Last September’s diplomatic crisis was not the first time Japan and China have clashed over sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands. We take a look at the background to a recent article on Japanese foreign policy by former Defense Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
Japan Proposes an “Elements Strategy”
In a collaborative undertaking of the Japanese government, business world, and academic circles, work is progressing on the articulation of an “elements strategy.” This is a strategy aimed at heading off problems in the future, when many chemical elements are expected to become scarce, by making use of functions that can be performed by creatively combining elements that are abundant.
