Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his second policy speech as prime minister after the start of a 24-day extraordinary session of parliament, began with a candid reflection on his precarious standing as the leader of a government bracing for turbulent times on Nov. 29.
Rather than expounding on his broader vision, such as his long-held beliefs on the need for a collective security framework in the region, Ishiba opted for a step-by-step approach to show his commitment to resolving less contentious individual policy matters prioritizing the next supplementary budget and political reform – the two key issues at stake in the current session of parliament.
In his speech, Ishiba limited himself to outlining small policy steps, starting with measures to improve the livelihood of the members of the Self-Defense Forces.
The government will also accelerate the ongoing debate over legislation on active cybersecurity, as well as promoting joint management of U.S. bases in Japan, Ishiba told the assembly.
Noting North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of pursuing dialogue even under difficult conditions (The Japan Times)
毎週届く！
