Editorial
2009, a year of change -- with more to come
The year 2009 is likely to be remembered as a year of major political changes.
Barack Obama became the first African-American president in U.S. history, while Japan saw its first regime change as a result of an election in the history of the nation's constitutional politics.
The European Union (EU) promoted political integration and elected its president in 2009, which marks the 20th year after the end of the Cold War, and the venue where the fate of the world is determined has shifted from the G8 to the G20. The world saw remarkable changes. One cannot help wonder whether these moves will lead to the revival of political power or simply reaffirm impressions of incompetence in politics.
Why did the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) score a landslide victory in the general election for the House of Representatives on Aug. 30? The election system centering on single-seat constituencies, which amplifies changes in public opinions, is certainly one contributing factor, but above all, the public chose to put an end to the traditional politics that had continued since the end of World War II and expected a new political style.
Behind the move are drastic changes in the environment surrounding Japan. The decline in the birthrate and the aging of the population have shown no sign of touching bottom, and the government has failed to properly respond to the shaky social security system. Japan has failed to reform its export-oriented economy hit hard by the collapse of U.S. financial giant Lehman Brothers and its budget deficit is snowballing. The political and economic hegemony of the United States, Japan's largest ally, has declined significantly while Asian countries, particularly China, are increasing their influence on the world. Voters cast their ballots in the general election while keeping in mind that only politics can respond to the new situation generated as a result of such structural changes and solve difficult problems.
It is questionable how far the new administration has responded to voters' expectations. The fiscal 2010 budget that the government has drafted has raised questions about how many of the DPJ's election pledges will likely be implemented, whether the government can secure the financial resources to implement its policy measures and whether it has drawn a blueprint for sustainable public pension, medical service and nursing care programs. The budget draft neither shows any convincing strategy for economic growth nor responds to questions about how to balance the deficit-ridden state budget. Moreover, discussions on diplomatic and security policies have been stalled over the deadlocked relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture.
Viewed from a different angle, however, the DPJ-led government will launch its cherished child care allowance program as the first step toward responding to the declining birthrate and aging population. Furthermore, discord within the tripartite ruling coalition over diplomatic and security policies shows that the government is reviewing Japan's longstanding policy on U.S. bases in Japan, as 2010 marks the 50th year of the revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
In the United States, unilateral and confrontational politics and the economic policy based on excessive emphasis on financial services have collapsed. U.S. citizens chose President Obama who pursues multilateral and cooperative politics. It goes without saying that not all policy measures Obama has implemented have been successful. The U.S. economy is not yet on the road to recovery, and it is beset with difficult problems such as the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan and an unsuccessful terrorist attack attempt. At the same time, it can be said that the new U.S. administration has given the world new goals through President Obama's speeches in Cairo and Prague. On the domestic front, the Obama administration is reforming U.S. society by patiently trying to persuade the Congress to support its medical insurance bill.
Moves in Europe are also noteworthy. The EU's efforts to achieve political integration based on its reflection on the past two world wars have made certain progress.
Its membership increased to 27 countries. And as the Treaty of Lisbon, the new fundamental treaty of the EU, has entered into force, the EU has elected its president. Under the treaty, its member countries will gradually integrate their police and judicial authorities and adopt a common policy toward immigrants and refugees.
The G8, the international cooperation system with Japan, the United States and the EU as its core, is gradually shifting its authority to the G20. Recovery from the global economic crisis triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers would not have been achieved without cooperation from Brazil, Russia, India and China.
There are buds of changes. Each member of the public is required to put forth the buds of changes and save themselves.
(Mainichi Japan) December 31, 2009