Editorial
Decentralization issues must not give way to popularity politics ahead of election
The actions of popular governors in the lead-up to the House of Representatives election are capturing attention in Japan. Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru agreed to a request from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to stand for the party in the election on condition that he be named as an LDP presidential candidate. In addition, Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto is moving to form an alliance of governors and mayors under a banner of decentralization reforms, while bearing in mind a declaration of support for a political party. The question arises whether the governors can form the eye of the hurricane of Japanese politics.
The governors, who take pride in their name recognition and influence, have taken advantage of political parties as they step into the national political arena, and the parties -- particularly the LDP, which has suffered in opinion polls -- are casting favorable glances at them. It is understandable that the governors are trying to push decentralization reforms into the spotlight in the Lower House election, but fears that they will actually end up being sucked into the parties are not groundless.
Policy-oriented activities are of utmost importance. Accordingly, the governors and mayors should present their standards for judging policies and a picture of the reforms they are aiming for in more concrete terms.
Higashikokubaru created waves when he set a high hurdle for the LDP. It is natural for controversy to arise over the possibility of the governor abandoning his post partway through his first term to enter national politics, but at the same time one cannot say his claims that there are reforms that can only be carried out through national politics are off the mark.
Still, the question remains why Higashikokubaru is treating the LDP, which one would struggle to describe as being enthusiastic about decentralization of power up until now, as a window for reforms. The explanation "because the LDP made the first offer" is insufficient.
Higashikokubaru has made acceptance of policy proposals that governors across Japan have presented to the ruling and opposition parties as a condition for running on an LDP ticket. But in this case, shouldn't he wait until parties have compiled their election pledges to consider the merits of the pledges?
There have been moves within the ruling parties to allow Higashikokubaru to enter the Cabinet in order to obtain his consent to stand as an LDP candidate. But lowering the hurdle without clarifying policies will by no means win voters' understanding.
Hashimoto, on the other hand, plans to decide which political party to support based on the parties' manifestos. In terms of influencing the policies of both the ruling and opposition parties, this method is understandable. But unless the governor makes it clear what policies he is demanding from each party as he eyes his pet ideas of implementing a realigned local government system and breaking down centralized leadership, the impression could emerge that he was eyeing collaboration with a particular political party from the outset. Accordingly, when forming an alliance of governors and mayors, it would be desirable for the governors to once again publicly disclose their standards for evaluating policy goals and political parties.
The pattern of governors giving central authorities a slap to the face is new, but it is concerning for all eyes to focus on political parties' hopes of turning the popular governors into billboards ahead of the Lower House election while discussions on the details of decentralization policies -- the main issue -- remain low-key.
Surely the first time political parties are forced to adopt a serious response is the time when the issue of reorganization of local bodies and such issues as the transfer of authority to regional bodies along with tax funds and subsidy reforms are shared with the public. In that sense, the National Governors' Association lacks punch. Rather than leaving the issue up to a few governors, the association should be pushing ahead with its activities more actively so that decentralization reform becomes the focus of the election.
(Mainichi Japan) July 1, 2009