Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his commitment to implementing high-priority policies such as regional revitalization, disaster management, and improving the treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel. However, he did not provide specific details on how social security would be reviewed or how financial resources would be secured. Ishiba emphasized the importance of regional areas in driving growth and pledged to double subsidies for regional revitalization from ¥100 billion to ¥200 billion. He also announced plans to establish a headquarters for the creation of new regional economies and living environments over the next decade.
Disaster management was another priority policy mentioned by Ishiba. He stated his intention to establish a disaster management agency, despite criticism that it may be unnecessary. Additionally, he proposed improvements to evacuation centers, which he had previously advocated during his campaign for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency.
In terms of improving the treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel, Ishiba announced the establishment of a council headed by himself and comprised of related ministers. However, he did not specify how this initiative would be funded.
Regarding social security reform and economic growth strategy, Ishiba provided limited information. He mentioned shifting towards a social security system that suits current times but did not elaborate on specific changes needed. Similarly, his economic growth strategy lacked concrete details according to an official at the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.
Ishiba’s speech did not address spending reforms or increasing financial burden either.
In terms of diplomacy and security policies, Ishiba aligned himself with former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s approach by emphasizing Japan’s alliance with the United States as well as promoting mutually beneficial relations with China.
Notably absent from Ishiba’s speech were ideas such as creating an Asian version of NATO or revising agreements with countries like North Korea through establishing liaison offices in Tokyo and Pyongyang.
Ishiba acknowledged that he could not include all his policies due to lack of unanimous support within his party but assured that relevant discussions on constitutional reform would take place at the Commission on Constitution.
Overall feedback on Ishiba’s speech was mixed; while some praised its realism within ruling parties like LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama others criticized it for lacking coherence like Yoshihiko Noda from Constitutional Democratic Party or lacking character like Yuichiro Tamaki from Democratic Party for People.