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Japan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Performative ‘elections' expose a sad lack of vision
Under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership offered the Japanese people and the region the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision (FOIP), Abenomics to revive the nation's economy after nearly three decades of stagnation and 'proactive pacifism' as guiding ideas for Japanese citizens. While not completely successful in realizing these visions, they offer a stark contrast to Japan's Upper House elections. These performative 'elections' have again exposed a troubling void at the heart of the island nation's political culture: the absence of any compelling strategic vision for the country's future. While political parties jostle for position and trade barbs over peripheral issues, none have articulated a coherent blueprint for addressing Japan's serious and mounting structural challenges. This vacuum of imagination reflects not merely political timidity but a deeper cultural reluctance to embrace bold leadership, a tendency encapsulated in the Japanese proverb 'the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.' The policy platforms on display during the campaign were notable primarily for their smallness of ambition. The LDP recycled familiar promises about economic revitalization and security enhancements, offering incremental adjustments rather than transformative solutions. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan countered with equally uninspiring proposals for modest wage increases and tweaks to social programs. Even newer entrants like Reiwa Shinsengumi and Nippon Ishin no Kai failed to break free from this pattern of cautious incrementalism. What makes this lack of vision more concerning is the magnitude of challenges Japan faces. The nation confronts a demographic crisis, with a rapidly aging society and plummeting birthrate threatening economic vitality and social cohesion. Gender inequality remains entrenched, depriving the economy of talent and perpetuating outdated social structures. The employment system struggles to adapt to a dynamic global economy. Educational institutions remain rigid, hierarchical and are ill-equipped to foster the creativity and flexibility demanded by the 21st century. Rather than grappling seriously with these existential challenges with a concrete vision, political discourse has increasingly fixated on the comparatively minor issue of immigration. Parties across the spectrum have devoted outsized attention to illegal migrants, migrant crime and border control measures despite scant evidence that foreign nationals pose any significant threat to Japanese society. Foreign residents constitute less than 3% of Japan's population and crime rates among immigrants remain lower than those of the general population. This misdirection of political energy reveals both the poverty of strategic thinking and a troubling susceptibility to populist scapegoating. The rise of parties like Sanseito, which has gained traction with its populist, right-of-center platform, reflects growing voter dissatisfaction with establishment politics. Yet this phenomenon represents less a coherent alternative vision than a protest vote against the status quo. Like similar movements in Europe and the Americas, Sanseito channels frustration without offering substantive solutions. Its popularity signals not the emergence of new ideas but the bankruptcy of old ones. This political paralysis stems partly from institutional factors such as the factional nature of Japanese politics, the power of bureaucracy and the influence of special interests. But it also reflects deeper cultural dynamics. Japanese society has long valued consensus over conflict, harmony over disruption and collective cohesion over individual initiative. These values have many virtues, contributing to social stability and group solidarity. Yet they also create powerful disincentives for the kind of bold, visionary leadership required to navigate transformational change. The contrast with other major powers is instructive. Whatever one thinks of U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' vision or Chinese leader Xi Jinping's 'China Dream,' these leaders have articulated clear, compelling narratives about their nations' destiny. Their visions may be flawed, divisive and unrealistic, but they provide a sense of direction and purpose that mobilizes political energy and shapes public discourse. Japanese politics offers no equivalent. There has been no overarching narrative about where the country should go or what it should become since Abe. This absence of vision has concrete consequences. Without a clear strategic direction, policy responses remain reactive and piecemeal. Demographic decline proceeds unchecked because no party dares propose the radical reforms to immigration policy, gender relations or work culture that are necessary to reverse it. Economic stagnation persists because structural reforms threaten entrenched interests. Educational ossification continues because innovation requires challenging established hierarchies. The irony is that Japan possesses tremendous assets that could underpin a compelling national vision. Its technological prowess, cultural creativity, social cohesion and democratic institutions provide a strong foundation for renewal. A political leader willing to articulate how these strengths could be mobilized to address contemporary challenges might find a receptive audience among voters hungry for change. Such a vision need not mimic the nationalist populism of Trump or the authoritarian ambitions of Xi. As Phillip Lipscy of the University of Toronto alludes to in his essay "Japan: the harbinger state," Japan could chart its own course, offering a model of inclusive prosperity, sustainable development and creative adaptation to demographic change. It could position itself as a laboratory for solutions to challenges such as aging societies, work-life balance and technological disruption that other developed nations will soon face. It could leverage its cultural soft power and technological capabilities to shape global conversations about the future of human society. Developing such a vision requires political courage and the willingness to stick out, that is, to risk being hammered down. It demands leaders who prioritize long-term national interests over short-term political calculations. It necessitates a political culture that rewards innovation rather than punishing it and one that values bold thinking alongside careful consensus-building. The alternative is continued drift and a slow-motion crisis. Japan's challenges will not resolve themselves through incremental adjustments or wishful thinking. Where is the spirit and vision of the Meiji restorers, those who rebuilt Japan from the ashes of war after World War II or Abe and his team, who offered FOIP, Abenomics and the leadership that drove Japan to lead the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership? A compelling vision with concrete and achievable objectives would contribute not only to Japan's sustainable prosperity but also to its global influence. In an era when nationalist and authoritarian visions are ascendant worldwide, Japan could offer an alternative model, one that combines economic dynamism with social cohesion, technological innovation with cultural continuity, global engagement with national identity. The nail that sticks up may get hammered down, but the alternative is a political culture of timid conformity that guarantees only decline. Japan needs leaders willing to take that risk, to articulate bold visions and pursue transformative change. Until such leaders emerge, its enormous potential will be unrealized and its future increasingly uncertain. Stephen R. Nagy is a professor of politics and international studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo and concurrently a visiting fellow for the Hungarian Institute for International Affairs and the Japan Institute for International Affairs.
Malaysiakini
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Japan stands with Asean on Myanmar, looks to deepen regional cooperation
Japan has reaffirmed its full support for Asean's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with Asean's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to Asean's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Japan stands with Asean on Myanmar, looks to deepen FOIP-AOIP engagement
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan has reaffirmed its full support for Asean's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with Asean's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to Asean's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access. "Japan has been consistently engaged on the Myanmar issue in close coordination with ASEAN, particularly through the Five-Point Consensus. "While we have our own channels of communication with all stakeholders in Myanmar, we fully support Asean's central role and initiatives," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. He acknowledged that progress has been slow since the 2021 military coup but stressed that Japan's approach centres on long-term humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar. "We understand the complexity, and while progress has been limited, we hope that under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, some traction can be made," Shikata said. Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, engaging both the military leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG) in pursuit of an inclusive political solution. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held separate meetings with representatives from both sides, urging an extended ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach conflict-affected areas. Malaysia has proposed the appointment of a permanent Asean special envoy and reaffirmed its support for the Five-Point Consensus, focusing on constructive dialogue and humanitarian access. Shikata said Japan is also ready to contribute further to Asean-led humanitarian responses through the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), particularly for internally displaced communities. On March 28 this year, a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, near Mandalay and Sagaing. The quake caused catastrophic damage, destroying infrastructure, displacing thousands and reportedly killing over 3,700 people. Turning to broader regional dynamics, Shikata pointed out that Japan's FOIP strategy shares strong common ground with Asean's AOIP, particularly in promoting inclusivity, openness, transparency and international law. He said the alignment between the two frameworks offers a timely opportunity for Japan and Asean to work together on maritime security, sustainable development, infrastructure and economic integration. "There is strong commonality between AOIP and FOIP, and we aim to identify concrete areas for collaboration between Japan and Asean under both frameworks," he said. AOIP, adopted in 2019, outlines the grouping's approach to fostering inclusive and rules-based cooperation through Asean-led platforms such as the East Asia Summit. Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, introduced in 2016, emphasises freedom of navigation, rule of law, economic growth and regional stability. Japan became Asean's first dialogue partner in 1973, formalising the partnership in 1977. Over the decades, Japan has steadily expanded its engagement with Asean, joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2004, appointing a dedicated ambassador to Asean in 2010 and establishing its permanent mission in Jakarta the following year. In 2023, ASEAN and Japan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting Tokyo's enduring support for ASEAN centrality and regional cooperation across political, economic and socio-cultural pillars. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will be in Kuala Lumpur from July 9 to 11 to attend the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings. — BERNAMA
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Japan Stands With ASEAN On Myanmar, Looks To Deepen FOIP-AOIP Engagement
By Nabilah Saleh KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Japan has reaffirmed its full support for ASEAN's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with ASEAN's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access. 'Japan has been consistently engaged on the Myanmar issue in close coordination with ASEAN, particularly through the Five-Point Consensus. 'While we have our own channels of communication with all stakeholders in Myanmar, we fully support ASEAN's central role and initiatives,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. He acknowledged that progress has been slow since the 2021 military coup but stressed that Japan's approach centres on long-term humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar. 'We understand the complexity, and while progress has been limited, we hope that under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, some traction can be made,' Shikata said. Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, engaging both the military leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG) in pursuit of an inclusive political solution. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held separate meetings with representatives from both sides, urging an extended ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach conflict-affected areas.
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Japan Stresses Peaceful Maritime Presence As Mizuho Begins Deployment In Malaysia
PULAU INDAH, June 23 -- Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Shikata Noriyuki (center), and Acting Deputy Director-General of Operations for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Maritime Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah (eighth from left), pose for a photo with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) vessel MIZUHO during its four-day strategic visit to Malaysia at the Klang Cruise Terminal today. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PULAU INDAH, June 23 -- Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Shikata Noriyuki (center), and Acting Deputy Director-General of Operations for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Maritime Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah (second from left), during the strategic visit of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) vessel MIZUHO to Malaysia for four days at the Klang Cruise Terminal today. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PULAU INDAH, June 23 -- Japan Coast Guard Deputy Commander for Operations, Kanosue Hiroaki (center), delivers a speech during the strategic visit of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) vessel MIZUHO to Malaysia for four days at the Klang Cruise Terminal today. --fotoBERNAMA By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi and Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali KLANG, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said its multi-nation maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific are aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and not provoking conflict. JCG Vice Commander for Operations, Vice Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki, said the goal is to foster cooperation and coordination with regional maritime partners in line with a rules-based international order. bootstrap slideshow He said the efforts are part of Japan's broader Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, which champions freedom of navigation and respect for international law. 'Our objective is not to seek conflict, but to reach a common understanding with respective countries on international law, and for their enforcement agencies to act accordingly,' he said at a press conference in conjunction with the port call of JCG patrol vessel Mizuho at Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT), Monday. Kanosue said this in response to a question about Japan's increasing presence in the region through joint maritime exercises amid rising tension in the South China Sea. Last week, the JCG completed joint drills with the United States and the Philippines in the Kagoshima Bay, southwestern Japan. This followed a joint maritime exercise with the Philippines held in the town of Masinloc on the Philippines' main island of Luzon, on June 14. This is the Mizuho's first deployment to Malaysia. Beginning today, the vessel will take part in a five-day strategic mission involving joint exercise drills with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The training includes arresting techniques, boarding exercises, and the use of long-range acoustic devices.
