Public Policy Planning & Consulting Co. (SEISAKU-KOUBOU) is a public policy consulting firm based in Tokyo, covering broad policy areas such as economic policy, fiscal policy, regulatory policy, administrative reform, international trade and investment, etc.
PPPC provides consulting and briefing services to the clients in the central/local governments, Diet, local assemblies and the private sector.

This blog is aimed at providing general information, latest updates and some of our analytical reports about Japan's public policy in English.
The contents include;
- updates on some important government councils, especially those in which our executive officers serve as the members,
- weekly reports on latest news in Nagata-cho, the political center in Japan, (partially).
- analytical reports and articles by our members and distinguished experts outside the firm,(partially).

11.22.2013

Koizumi, Why No-Nuke and Why Now?

* Written by Yoichi TAKAHASHI, PPPC Chairman / Kaetsu University Professor


 Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has repeatedly called for
Japan to abandon nuclear power, attracting attentions of media and the
public. But why at this point of time? As a matter of fact, Koizumi
stated that it would be better to lessen dependency on nuclear power
after the March 2011 disaster, and he has voiced in favor of natural
energy in informal settings elsewhere since then. Anyways, why has
Koizumi started speaking as such in public lately? The following
multiple factors could be thought of.

 First, Koizumi himself admits that it was a testament of the famous
economist Hiroshi Kato who passed away in January this year. Dr. Kato
was the figure who taught Koizumi the idea of Japan Post privatization
when Koizumi was a student at Keio Gijuku University. Dr. Kato also
has given comments to support elimination of the countrys nuclear
power plants since the March 11 disaster.

 Second, some rumor that Koizumi is learning the way of living from
Yukio Ozaki, known as Father of Japans Constitutionalism. Koizumi
often cited in his speeches the word of Ozaki the true arena of life
always resides in the future. It is a lesson that one should always
act for the future, regardless of ages. Koizumi, while in the Prime
Ministers office, used to say in his speeches a number of times that
Ozaki would always care about the future even at the age of 94

 Third, there is a possibility that all his moves are just the
covering fires for his son, a member of the House of Representatives
Shinjiro Koizumi. Having in mind that Shinjiro will be a leader of
Liberal Democratic Party someday, the father may have introduced a
controversy policy issue that could be a focal point in times of
election. Actually Koizumi does care about his son, and they are said
to have frequent communications each other. Yet, although some hasty
ones speak that the father-and-son will unite all the anti-nuclear
groups and form a single political domain, it will not likely take
place at this point.

 Fourth, the messages might have come from Koizumis parental
affection to Prime Minister Abe. Koizumi, during at his office as
Prime Minister, had suspended discussions on the consumption tax hike
which was a long-dreamed ambition of the Ministry of Finance. Neither
did Koizumi produce a growth strategy, denying the idea of industrial
policy strongly addressed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry. Contrastingly, it may seem to Koizumi that Abe recently has
come under the influence of MOF and METI. Maybe this is Koizumis way
of encouraging Prime Minister Abe not to be driven by the ministerial
bureaucracy.

 Fifth, perhaps, there is a possibility of financial reason. While
Koizumi has surely enjoyed his retirement-life at a think tank called
the Center for International Public Policy Studies which received some
billion yens of funds from the business circle, there are rumors that
the Center already ate up the funds in the last 7 years and will
likely be abolished in March next year. Therefore, Koizumi must find
some other ways to live. Even others say that Koizumi began to choose
seminars that pay more.

 Finally, one source with relationship to Koizumi says that he will
soon reach the age of 72, getting outward rather than inward for
seeking stimulations.

 All these may be forming the background of Koizumis recent moves,

but what precisely is the most likely one?




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