Thread by @observingjapan

Here's the general election policy pact concluded by the @CDP2017 @jcp_cc @SDPJapan @yamamototaro0 @shiminrengo. cdp-japan.jp/files/download…

First section: national security
-Undo Abe-era national security laws (state secrecy, conspiracy, 2015 collective self-defense laws)
-Asian diplomacy that advances peace, based on the constitution
-Accede to treaty banning nuclear weapons
-Suspend base construction at Henoko

Second: Covid-19 measures based on science
-Reverse prevailing policies reducing medical costs, promote public health
-Improve treatment of essential workers
-Provide full financial support to individuals and companies unemployed and bankrupted by the shock

Third: inequality and poverty reduction
-Raise the minimum wage, improve treatment of freelancers and non-regular workers
-Expand public support for healthcare, education, child care, housing for younger generations
-Tax reform to promote redistribution, reduce consumption tax

Fourth: energy transition
-Promote renewables, phase out coal, realize nuclear-free decarbonization
-Foster new industries, esp. in regions, to promote energy transition
-Realize "political system that protects lives from natural disasters"
-Support ag to ensure food security

Five: realizing a free and fair society from the perspective of gender
-Laws to ensure selective surnames, LGBT rights, prevent sexual violence
-Review employment and family systems and related services from the perspective of gender equality

Six: fair and transparent administration
-Investigate Moritomo/Kake Gakuen, cherry blossom viewing allegations
-Appoint recommended candidates to Science Council
-Reform the Cabinet Personnel Bureau

With the exception of section five, which at least points in the direction of dramatically different type of society, what strikes me most about this is how backward-looking it is.

The fixation on the Abe-era laws, for example, seems largely out of step with the public's thinking on national security given concerns about China. Is there really much appetite for repealing the 2015 laws?

Meanwhile, say what you will about the Abe government, but it did raise minimum wage repeatedly, pressure corporate Japan constantly about wage increases, strive to improve conditions for non-regular workers, and aimed for "social security for all generations" (lifted from DPJ).

The energy section is also hand-wavey. Obviously the Suga administration has been ramping up efforts on renewables, but also in the immediate term, it is very difficult to see how Japan cuts emissions sharply without some nuclear generation.

I realize that this is a "lowest-common-denominator" agenda and not necessarily a blueprint for government, but I wish, particularly on foreign policy, they would stop fighting the battles of 2015.

Anyway, there's not much point fixating on the opposition's platform, since Japan's elections seem dominated by trust, perceptions of competence, and other valence issues.

On the plus side, at least they're not running against monetary easing anymore.