Politics Ishiba's ‘Pleasant Japan’

[thomas]

During his first policy speech last Friday, PM Ishiba pledged to focus on regional development initiatives, emphasising the importance of sustainability and self-reliance in building a new Japan. Acknowledging the necessity of adapting Japan's socioeconomic structure to the challenges of a declining population, Ishiba expressed his commitment to advancing regional development efforts under the banner of "Reiwa's Reform of the Japanese Archipelago." He said that Japan needs to change its values and aim for a "pleasant Japan" from now on.

In a historical context, the Meiji government envisaged a "Strong Japan", while "Prosperous Japan" was the slogan of postwar governments to ensure high economic growth. "Pleasant Japan" (楽しい日本), the "third Japan," refers to the new political, economic, and demographic realities the country must face.

According to a post on the website of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the "third Japan" that Ishiba advocates is the nation that Japan should aspire to be as its population decline is in full swing. The vision of a "pleasant Japan" is a society in which individuals pursue their own dreams, the public and private sectors work together to create enjoyable rural areas, residents living in cities and in rural areas are interconnected, security and safety are guaranteed to all, and people experience hope and happiness. To achieve this, Ishiba said he will position regional development at the core of his policies.

Tobias Harris, the brilliant analyst of contemporary Japanese politics, interprets "pleasant" as "resilient:"

The persistent decline of the working-age population, he says, means that Japanese society needs to become more respectful of each individual and their abilities and needs; Japan's dependence on foreign sources of food and energy render it vulnerable to overseas events require "strategic national management" to protect the well-being of the Japanese people. While Ishiba makes clear what he means by pleasant – namely a society that respects the diversity and pluralism, enabling individuals to pursue their dreams and "self-actualization" – in practice what he outlines in this speech is less a "pleasant Japan" than a "resilient Japan."

Ishiba set five pillars: making local regions the preferred choice of young people and women; creating an environment for industry, government and academia to relocate to the regional areas; creating new industrial sectors and innovation in local regions; developing infrastructure for a new era, including decarbonised power sources, artificial intelligence and data centres; and promoting a new framework for broad-based cooperation beyond prefectural borders.

Ishiba's administration faces the risk of instability, especially without strong public backing. However, Harris states that it was promising that, as Japan navigates a new and uncertain period marked by the global decline of democracy, its political leaders see the unprecedented scenario of an LDP-led minority government as an opportunity. This situation has encouraged efforts to negotiate policy compromises and allowed the Diet to take a more active role in shaping legislation.

Ishiba proposes realization of ‘Pleasant Japan’ in policy speech | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Towards a pleasant Japan?

A close reading of Ishiba Shigeru's policy address

observingjapan.substack.com

 

[Lothor]

All sounds sensible to me, and it's a breath of fresh air after Abe's shrill nationalism and totalitarian instincts.

 

[thomas]

All sounds sensible to me, and it's a breath of fresh air after Abe's shrill nationalism and totalitarian instincts.

Wasn't it Abe who wanted a "Beautiful Japan"?

 

[Petaris]

What is meant by "local region" in this context? Is it just meant to refer to Japan as a whole or is there some other meaning to is?

 

[Lothor]

Wasn't it Abe who wanted a "Beautiful Japan"?

It was! His idea of a beautiful Japan was one that he personally thought was beautiful - I can't remember anything about the quality of life of Japan's residents in his vision.

 

[Lothor]

What is meant by "local region" in this context? Is it just meant to refer to Japan as a whole or is there some other meaning to is?

I think Ishiba is referring to 'not Tokyo', a city accused of sucking the life out of the rest of the country. The U.K. has a similar problem with London, and 'regions' is often used to refer to well-understood areas, such as the North West, in the same way that Tohoku is in Japan.