The whole of Japan is full of joy as three Japanese scientists got the Nobel Physics Prize this week. Their work has been of great value both in terms of science and of practical use. Some of us, this writer included, are looking forward to Japan getting the Peace Prize also, to be announced later today.
But what about the general condition of the country? Is it satisfactory? Are we happy? Is it worth getting the Prize/Prizes? I must say, regrettably, 'far from it'. Let me briefly discuss it under four items.
(1) Security Question We have already discussed it recently on the occasion of the Ab Cabinet's decision on 1 July practically to distort the Article 9 of the Constitution in letters and the spirit. In almost all the opinion polls 50 to 60 % are against the decision, and are of the view that it should be revoked.
(2) Economic Question Abe is still trying to sell his 'Abenomics', saying that although the increase in the wages is not yet up to the increase in prices, and the real wages are still coming down, they are bound to be up before long. This is the outdated 'trickle-down' theory which has never been successful almost anywhere in the world. In any poll the overwhelming majority reply that they have not felt the positive impact of 'Abenomics'. The 3 % hike in the consumption tax in the last April greatly damaged the purchasing power, the devaluation of the Yen is a blow to the small and medium enterprises employing 70 % of the total labour force by raising the prices of the imports, the exports have not achieved the desired results as much of the manufacturing of the country has shifted out, and in the year and a half of the Abe Administration there has been an increase of 1250,000 irregular employees while the regular working force has lost 310,000. The predicted annual growth rate at present is minus 7.1 %. But Abe is planning to hike a 2 % more on the consumption tax in October 2015.
(3) Nuclear Power Question The government is keen on re-working the nuclear power stations at many places in the country. This is really astonishing in view of the fact that the damaged Fukushima Plant is far from reconstructed. Moreover, the 2014 summer has just gone without, for the first time, a single nuclear power plant operating in the whole country, which means that we do not need any nuclear power as our hot and humid summer usually needs more energy than the other seasons. Last but not least, the Sendai plant in Kyushu which the government has an eye upon to be the first one to be re-opened has got several active volcanos out of the total of 110 not far away, and you may remember the recent eruption of Mt. Ontake in the central part of Japan, without warning. Again in any poll the majority are against the government policy of re-operating nuclear stations. No nukes, no nuke stations!
(4) The Question of the New US Base in Okinawa This has been referred to more than once in these columns, and I will not go into it now. But 80 % of the Prefectural residents are against it. There will be a crucial Prefectural Gubernatorial elections on 16 November.
So on any of the serious issues facing the country the Abe Administration is in a minority. Any of these may affect its still relatively high supporting ratio unless there is a change in policies. Behind all these, it should be added, there is another issue on a different different issue.
But what about the general condition of the country? Is it satisfactory? Are we happy? Is it worth getting the Prize/Prizes? I must say, regrettably, 'far from it'. Let me briefly discuss it under four items.
(1) Security Question We have already discussed it recently on the occasion of the Ab Cabinet's decision on 1 July practically to distort the Article 9 of the Constitution in letters and the spirit. In almost all the opinion polls 50 to 60 % are against the decision, and are of the view that it should be revoked.
(2) Economic Question Abe is still trying to sell his 'Abenomics', saying that although the increase in the wages is not yet up to the increase in prices, and the real wages are still coming down, they are bound to be up before long. This is the outdated 'trickle-down' theory which has never been successful almost anywhere in the world. In any poll the overwhelming majority reply that they have not felt the positive impact of 'Abenomics'. The 3 % hike in the consumption tax in the last April greatly damaged the purchasing power, the devaluation of the Yen is a blow to the small and medium enterprises employing 70 % of the total labour force by raising the prices of the imports, the exports have not achieved the desired results as much of the manufacturing of the country has shifted out, and in the year and a half of the Abe Administration there has been an increase of 1250,000 irregular employees while the regular working force has lost 310,000. The predicted annual growth rate at present is minus 7.1 %. But Abe is planning to hike a 2 % more on the consumption tax in October 2015.
(3) Nuclear Power Question The government is keen on re-working the nuclear power stations at many places in the country. This is really astonishing in view of the fact that the damaged Fukushima Plant is far from reconstructed. Moreover, the 2014 summer has just gone without, for the first time, a single nuclear power plant operating in the whole country, which means that we do not need any nuclear power as our hot and humid summer usually needs more energy than the other seasons. Last but not least, the Sendai plant in Kyushu which the government has an eye upon to be the first one to be re-opened has got several active volcanos out of the total of 110 not far away, and you may remember the recent eruption of Mt. Ontake in the central part of Japan, without warning. Again in any poll the majority are against the government policy of re-operating nuclear stations. No nukes, no nuke stations!
(4) The Question of the New US Base in Okinawa This has been referred to more than once in these columns, and I will not go into it now. But 80 % of the Prefectural residents are against it. There will be a crucial Prefectural Gubernatorial elections on 16 November.
So on any of the serious issues facing the country the Abe Administration is in a minority. Any of these may affect its still relatively high supporting ratio unless there is a change in policies. Behind all these, it should be added, there is another issue on a different different issue.
