Prime Minister Kishida delivered an administrative policy speech on the 23rd, the first day of the ordinary session of the Diet.
He said that countermeasures against the declining birthrate are an urgent issue, and he has positioned them as the most important policy, and has indicated that he will proceed with the consideration of concrete content and stable financial resources.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen defense capabilities and reiterated his policy of raising taxes to cover the lack of financial resources.
“Nation building in a new era, creation of a stable international order”
At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida said, "For modern Japan, there were two major turning points: the Meiji Restoration and the end of World War II 77 years later. Strangely enough, 77 years later, we are once again at a turning point in history. standing,' he said.
In addition, he said, ``We must throw away the common sense of the past and create a society, economy, and international order suitable for the new era with a strong determination and a vision that sees the times. Let us proceed with the creation of a stable international order."
“Drastic enhancement of defense capability, steadily advancing”
Regarding the drastic strengthening of defense capabilities, he explained that he would secure a defense budget of 43 trillion yen over five years and steadily proceed with initiatives including the possession of "counterattack capabilities." should be maintained and strengthened in the future,” he said.
Even with administrative and financial reforms, about one-fourth of the defense budget's financial resources will be insufficient. was shown.
“Aiming to realize wage increases that exceed price increases”
He also emphasized that he will not hesitate to address rising prices and that he will work to realize wage increases that exceed price increases under the "new capitalism" he advocates.
In order to make wage increases sustainable, he indicated a policy to accelerate labor market reforms, such as regularizing the employment of those who wish to do so, support for skill improvement through reskilling (re-learning), and a review of seniority-based wages.
Regarding the review of seniority-based wages, he said, ``By June this year, we will categorize the method of introducing ``job-based wages'' in Japanese companies and show a model."
In addition, in order to create a virtuous cycle of the economy, he expressed his intention to promote investment and reform in various fields such as GX = green transformation, digital, and startups.
He also explained that, regarding the stable supply of energy, on the premise of ensuring safety and gaining the understanding of the local community, we will proceed with the rebuilding of nuclear power plants with next-generation innovative reactors and the extension of operations for a certain period of time.
“The most important policy is child and parenting policy”
On the other hand, he said, "This year, I would like to take the 'new capitalism' initiative to the next stage. Child and child-rearing policies are positioned as the most important policies when considering the 'sustainability' and 'inclusiveness' of the economy and society. It is."
He added, "Due to the rapidly declining birthrate, the number of births is expected to fall below 800,000 last year, and our country is at the brink of whether or not it will be possible to maintain social functions. This is an urgent issue. We must create an economic society that puts children first and reverse the birthrate. Did.
In addition, he explained that regional revitalization is also a source of economic revitalization, and that he will focus on supporting industrial revitalization and digitalization, including tourism and agriculture.
Furthermore, in light of the 100th anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake, he indicated a policy to formulate a new basic plan for national resilience, and indicated that he would continue to do his best to reconstruct Fukushima.
New Corona response
In addition, we will promote efforts to restore daily life in response to the new corona, and in principle, in the spring of this year, we are considering shifting the position under the Infectious Diseases Act to the same ``5'' category as seasonal influenza. , I explained that I would organize my way of thinking about how to wear a mask.
Foreign and security policy
Regarding foreign and security policy, he said, "At a time when we are facing a turning point in history, we will aggressively and forcefully develop a 'realist diplomacy for a new era' in order to protect our national interests." He expressed his determination to lead efforts toward world peace and prosperity as a country.
On top of that, in preparation for the Hiroshima Summit in May, the G7 countries will work together to address global issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, energy and food crises, and realize a world free of nuclear weapons. Toward this end, he expressed his intention to proceed with realistic efforts.
Regarding the bilateral relationship,
▽ We will further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance, assuming that the Japan-US relationship is the cornerstone of diplomacy, and cooperate in the field of economic security, such as strengthening the supply chain and cooperation on semiconductors. I showed the idea of working on.
▽ Regarding China, he said, "We will insist on what we should insist on, including attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and we will strongly demand responsible actions." Repeatedly, he showed his intention to aim for constructive and stable relationship building.
▽ Regarding the relationship with South Korea, he said that he was an important neighboring country that should cooperate in responding to various issues, and said, "We will communicate closely in order to restore and develop a healthy relationship." .
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Regarding Japan-Russia relations, he said, "Although the situation is severe due to the invasion of Ukraine, we will continue to adhere to the policy of resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty."
While expressing his stance that he will not do so, he also expressed his intention to make every effort to realize the return of the abductees.
Constitutional amendment
Regarding the revision of the constitution, he said, "This is an issue that cannot be postponed. I sincerely hope that this Diet session will deepen discussions toward the first revision since its enactment."
Cabinet ministers resign one after another ``work to prevent recurrence''
On the other hand, regarding the resignation of cabinet ministers last year due to issues such as relations with the former Unification Church and politics and money issues, he said, "I take seriously the harsh voices of the people. Trust is the most important foundation of politics. As a politician who has been thinking that, I can't stand it," he said, emphasizing that he would work to prevent a recurrence.
Finally, he said, "I will do my best to fulfill the historic mission that has been assigned to me, in order to pass on Japan to the next generation."