The 203rd session of the Interim Diet was convened on June 6 and Prime Minister Kan Yoshihide delivered his first policy address in the plenary session of the House of Representatives (Fidesz). He emphasized that the U.S.-Japan alliance is “the cornerstone of diplomacy and security” and “the foundation for peace, prosperity, and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community. “We will firmly adhere to the views that should be adhered to, and continue to cooperate on various common issues.”
In his speech, he explained that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Japan as a state guest was postponed due to the impact of the neo-crowning epidemic, and that Kan would “actively make use of the opportunity of the high-level (meeting) between Japan and China. He noted that Japan’s relations with China and South Korea are “extremely important,” but also expressed his displeasure that Chinese coast guard vessels are sailing into what Japan considers “territorial waters” around the Diaoyu Islands.
In his speech, Kan identified the issue of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese nationals as the most important issue for his administration, and said that he would follow the path of the Abe administration and would like to have a direct face-to-face dialogue with Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Regarding his own inauguration, he said that he “has taken on the responsibility of taking the helm of the nation at a time of national tragedy, when the spread of the new coronavirus infection and the greatest economic recession in the post-war era are at the forefront,” and that he “will absolutely prevent the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection and resolutely protect the lives and health of our citizens. The government will continue to work on the development of a comprehensive plan to reduce the cost of infertility treatment.” He also pledged to realize insurance coverage for infertility treatment and to tighten the reduction of cell phone rates, and said that the Kan cabinet will be a cabinet that works for the people.
In discussing his desired social goals, Kan stated that they are “self-help, mutual aid, public aid, and ties.
He announced that he would achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions in Japan by 2050, and would promote industrial structure and economic and social change, with a growth strategy as the pillar, breaking down the administrative division, vested interests, and old-fashioned precedents, and pushing ahead with regulatory reform.
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