Japan Brief/FPCJ, No. 0770
October 3, 2007

Prime Minister Fukuda Delivers First Policy Speech to Diet; Emphasizes Cooperation with Opposition Parties

On October 1 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda made his first policy speech since his appointment to a plenary session of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. In view of the fact that the opposition now holds a majority in the House of Councillors, Prime Minister Fukuda emphasized that “I would like to engage in sincere consultations with opposition parties on important policy issues.” In addition, while stating that the direction of structural reform since the administration of Junichiro Koizumi would remain unchanged, Prime Minister Fukuda indicated his intention to “provide solutions to each and every problem” that has arisen in the process. On the foreign policy front, Prime Minister Fukuda advocated “diplomacy which contributes to world peace” and, as the most pressing issues, cited “the continuation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s support activities in the Indian Ocean and the early resolution of issues related to North Korea.” Regarding relations with North Korea, he said, “We will exert our maximum efforts to realize the earliest return of all the abductees, settle the ‘unfortunate past,’ and normalize the relations between Japan and North Korea.” With Prime Minister Fukuda’s policy speech, the Diet returned to normal business after a hiatus of about three weeks following former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s sudden announcement of his resignation on September 12.

“Warm and Compassionate” Politics Based on “Self-Reliance and Mutual Cooperation”
Although it is highly unusual for a prime minister to refer to Diet management in his policy speech, Prime Minister Fukuda emphasized his position of seeking to compromise with the opposition parties. Furthermore, noting that “Without the trust of the people, it is impossible to realize any policies or achieve any necessary reforms,” Prime Minister Fukuda declared, “Recovering the trust in politics and in the administration is an urgent task.” Regarding the problem of politics and money, he indicated his desire to hold discussions with the opposition in order to increase the transparency of political funds. On the focal issue of pension system reform, he said that “it is essential that we design the system from a long-term perspective” and “I should like to call on the Diet members to resume discussions in the Diet that transcend partisan positions, and engage in transparent and constructive consultations.”

Turning to foreign policy, while saying that “Maintaining the solid Japan-U.S. alliance and promoting international cooperation are the foundation of Japan’s diplomacy,” Prime Minister Fukuda went on, “We will promote active diplomacy toward Asia, so that the consolidation of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the promotion of diplomacy toward Asia will have a resonance and stability and growth will take root in all Asian countries.” “With China,” he said, “we will establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” In the concluding part of his speech, Prime Minister Fukuda said that he would implement policies based on “self-reliance and mutual cooperation” and conduct “politics with warmth and compassion” based on the idea that, while self-help efforts are fundamental, mutual assistance is necessary. He added, “I am convinced that this will lead us into a country of ‘hope and reassurance,’ where the young people have hope for the future and the elderly have a sense of reassurance.”

Regarding the prime minister’s emphasis in his speech on consultations with the opposition, Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama remarked, “Before that, he should outline the policies of the government and ruling parties.” Hatoyama added critically, “There was no color [in the speech]. It was just as if he was reading a text compiled by bureaucrats. No special features were evident.” Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chairperson Kazuo Shii commented, “The disappearance of statements by people who have not reflected on the past war was a forward-looking change.” But, he added, “No prescriptions for nation building were shown.” Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said critically, “The speech did not contain any passion or specific measures in response to the cries of the people for help. It was a careful speech by a model student.”

Main Newspaper Editorials
The main newspapers all carried editorials on the policy speech in their October 2 editions. While pointing out that it lacked any mention of specific policies, the Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun gave high marks to the change of direction in foreign policy.

The Asahi editorial, headlined “Fukuda's policy speech: He cannot keep putting off the ‘moment of truth,’” opened, “There was no catchy slogan, nor any new initiative. In a word, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda’s policy speech to the Diet on Monday was ‘plain.’” As the first speech by a new prime minister, the Asahi commented, it failed to convey any concrete image of what the government is aiming for and “fell short of our expectations.” Regarding the fact that the prime minister explained his intention to maintain the Japan-US alliance, promote active diplomacy with Asia, settle the abduction problem, and normalize relations with North Korea, the Asahi stated, “We welcome his resolve to pursue balanced diplomacy with the United States and the rest of Asia through a combination of ‘pressure’ and ‘dialogue.’”

Under the headline “Stability returns to politics,” the Mainichi editorial welcomed the return of stability to politics, saying, “The lack of preparation was undeniable, and concrete arguments were scarce. But reflecting on the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Fukuda certainly indicated his stance of aiming for a style of politics with its feet planted firmly on the ground.” Declaring that one key point of the speech was its clarification of a move away from the Abe line, the Mainichi pointed out, “The center of gravity has shifted from the state to the people’s lives.” Welcoming also the diplomatic shift toward an emphasis on Asia, the Mainichi drew attention to the fact that in relations with North Korea the speech “positioned the normalization of diplomatic ties as the end of the line.”

The Yomiuri Shimbun editorial, headlined “Fukuda must obtain opposition’s cooperation,” noted, “The most urgent task facing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is figuring out how to advance policy initiatives to protect citizens’ livelihoods and the national interest in a Diet in which the opposition bloc holds a majority in the House of Councillors while the ruling coalition holds a majority in the House of Representatives.” Regarding the prime minister’s emphasis on consultations with the opposition, it remarked, “As Fukuda said, it is difficult to implement policies when the decisions of the two houses differ. The prime minister’s comment was appropriate.” Regarding the continuation of refueling activities by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean, the Yomiuri proffered, “To meet expectations and requests from the international community, the prime minister has to offer thorough explanations to the public and the Diet to enact the law during the current extraordinary Diet session.”

Under the headline “Road to hope and reassurance remains unclear,” the Sankei Shimbun editorial observed that, against the background of a harsh political climate, the aim of “adopting a low profile toward the people and the opposition parties and weathering the storm” is “as clear as daylight.” It went on affirmatively, “In view of the split Diet, actively holding discussions with the opposition parties in order to protect the national life is the right way of thinking.” On the other hand, remarking that “the prime minister did not indicate any important pillars regarding what he wants to do for the country,” the Sankei requested, “If he is going to give hope and reassurance to the people, then showing the way forward is the first priority.”

The Nikkei editorial, titled “Prime minister’s course of dialogue will not advance without specifics,” stated, “In a split Diet, if the ruling and opposition parties do not compromise, national politics could plunge into chaos. The DPJ and other opposition parties have a responsibility to respond sincerely to the prime minister’s call [for dialogue]. However, it also cannot be denied that the prime minister’s speech put so much emphasis on dialogue that policies seemed to lack specific substance. From now on the prime minister needs to talk more about details, including the procedures for putting policies into practice.”

(Copyright 2007 Foreign Press Center / Japan)