A New Governor In Town

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

In late 2012, after 15 years of economic deflation, Japanese citizens voted for Liberal Democratic Party rule leading to the return of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose bellicose, nationalist rhetoric is world-renowned.   Just as well known is "Abenomics", his economic plan credited with improving the Japanese economy through well-reasoned fiscal and monetary policies.   Yet, while Japan's economy is increasingly intertwined with China's economy, Abe has escalated tensions with its behemoth neighbor--and sent shock waves throughout the world.    In late December 2013 Prime Minister Abe increased hostilities by paying a visit to Yasukuni Shrine to honor the souls of Japanese who died fighting in World War II, including fourteen leaders convicted of Class A war crimes.   Though Abe has made several past visits to the shrine, this visit, which fell on the first anniversary of his second term in office, provoked outrage from China and scoldings from the U.S. with whom Japan is trying to tighten relations.  China declared that Abe is "unwelcome by Chinese people...and leaders won't meet him anymore."  

And then there are the disputed islands.  They are administered by Japan which calls them "Senkakus" but they are also claimed by China which refers to them as "Diaoyu."   Escalation of the island conflict actually began back in 2012 with Abe's predecessor, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Yudo, when he ordered the Japanese government to purchase the islands from a private owner (allegedly to keep the islands out of the hands of ultra-nationalist Japanese who were making their own plans to purchase and build up the islands).  This action was like sticking a red hot poker in the eye of the Chinese government.  Then-President of China, Hu Jintao, warned Prime Minister Yudo to immediately halt acquisition plans.  

Once Japan moved to purchase the islands, and thereby make a legal claim to ownership, China woke up with a roar.  China decided to end its quiet, decades-long acceptance of Japanese occupation and would no longer allowing the issue of sovereignty to hang in the Asian air. Now the issue is how to calm the situation.   If only China and Japan would ask the International Court of Justice to settle the dispute legally, perhaps peace would prevail. 

The election for Tokyo Governor was held yesterday, Sunday, February 10, 2014.  I had predicted that the heavy snowfall would have a substantial impact upon voter turn-out just as is does in the United States.  And indeed, it did.  It was the third lowest turnout in Tokyo history (46% versus 62.6% in the previous election).  Just over 2 million ballots were cast for Yoichi Masuzoe, giving this former health minister 65% of the total vote--and victory over 15 other candidates.  

This 65-year old, pro-nuclear-power, independent candidate received the backing of both ruling parties.  But energy policy did not seem to concern the voters as much as aging population, low-birth rate, education, and business-related issues.  Governor Yoichi promises to make Tokyo the envy of the world through its disaster preparedness, improved daycare and public education (hopefully placing less reliance upon cram schools to prepare students for rote university exams), and renewable energy.  Gov. Yoichi also has grand plans for the 2020 Tokyo Games, declaring that they will be "the best in Olympic history."