POLICY & DIPLOMACYTHE FIRST POLICY SPEECHBY PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA FUMIO
AN EXCERPTOCTOBER 8, 2021
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/100_kishida/statement/202110/_00005.html

Introduction
I am resolved to invest all my heart, mind, and strength
to overcome this national crisis, the battle against
COVID-19, together with the Japanese people, carve out
a new era, and hand down to the next generation a Japanthat is spiritually rich.
What is required of us now is to engage in politics
worthy of trust and sympathy that reacts to citizens’ voiceswith sincerity and gives those voices concrete shape. I willplace importance on having thorough discussions with thecitizens. I myself and indeed all the members of my Cabinet
will repeatedly sit down in a circle with various kinds ofpeople to have discussions. Beyond that, I will instructthem to do comprehensive checks on whether or not we areadvancing policies well-tailored to the people’s needs.
It will be upon the trust and sympathy earned throughthis process that I aim to foster a society that respects
diversity. My mission is to arouse the power of the bonds
Japan enjoys.
Measures to counter COVID-19
The essential element of crisis response is assuming
the worst possible situation at all times. Now that thenumber of new infections is holding at a low, steady level,
this is the time for us to anticipate various situations andtake comprehensive steps to ensure peace of mind. We
will reliably secure hospital bed capacity and medical
personnel and thoroughly set measures in place to assist
patients recuperating at home.
We will forge ahead with administering a second
vaccine dose to all those wishing to receive one while also
making careful preparations to enable the administrationof a third round of vaccinations. We will also aim to haveorally administered pharmaceutical treatments enter into
practical application within the calendar year. Alongside
this, we will work to make active use of digital vaccination
certificates and expand free-of-charge testing for which

advance reservations are not required.
To support business owners who have sufferedsignificant impacts, we will provide subsidies inproportion to the size of the business, in a form that does
not impose limits on the location or type of business. Wewill also implement support in the form of subsidies andother assistance to protect those in need, including nonregular employees and families with small children.
Bringing a new form of capitalism into realization
What I aim to do is to bring a new form of capitalism
into realization. The concept is this: a virtuous cycle ofgrowth and distribution, and developing a new postCOVID-19 society. I will establish a Council of New
Form of Capitalism Realization and shape that vision
into something concrete. Aiming for growth is absolutely
critical, and we will make every possible effort towards
actualizing it. However, without distribution, there will
be no subsequent growth; this point too, I thoroughly
endorse. We will extricate ourselves from the barren
argument of “growth or distribution” and conduct a
general mobilization of all possible policies to bringabout “growth and distribution.”
Our growth strategy and our distribution strategy are
two sides of the same coin by which we bring about a newform of capitalism.
The first pillar of my growth strategy is realizing ascience and technology nation. We will boldly fundresearch and development in advanced science andtechnology, including in the areas of digital, green,artificial intelligence, quantum, bio, and space.
The second pillar is revitalizing regions and a Vision
for a Digital Garden City Nation, which will link to therest of the world. We will advance the implementation ofdigital transformation beginning with our local regions
and give rise to a wave of new reforms.
The third pillar is economic security. Under a newly

established ministerial remit, we will advance our efforts
to secure strategic goods and materials and prevent
outflows of technology, while will materialize an
autonomous economic structure.
The fourth pillar is putting to rest people’s anxiety
about the era of hundred-year lifespans. We will makesocial security and the tax system neutral with regard toways of working and endeavor to make universal workers’
insurance a reality. Looking ahead, we will work to build
a social security system oriented to all generations inwhich all people, from children and those raising a family
to the elderly, can feel assured.
Next is our distribution strategy.
The first pillar is strengthening the function fordistributions to working people. We will fundamentallystrengthen our support within the tax code for companies
that raise wages in an effort to increase the percentage ofdistributions allocated to labor.
The second pillar is enlarging the middle class andaddressing the declining birth rate. We will reinforce our
support for educational expenses and living expenses toprovide support for families with small children.
The third pillar is increasing the incomes of thoseworking at facilities providing medical nursing, elderlycare, childcare services and the like. We will examine
public prices and fundamentally review the state of
public prices.
My fourth pillar is correcting the harmful effects
resulting from deciding public finances on a single fiscal
year basis, which determines public distribution.
In addition to these, we will actively invest in building
up basic infrastructure as a step towards regionalrevitalization. Without reconstruction from the Great
East Japan Earthquake, there will be no revival of Japan.
In keeping with my strong feelings on this, we will work
exhaustively to realize assistance for disaster victims,
the rebuilding of industries and livelihoods, and thereconstruction and revival of Fukushima.
Diplomacy and security that fully protect the Japanese people
On the basis of trust we enjoy from the international
community, I will pursue resolute diplomacy in threeareas in which I hold strong determination.
The first of these is my determination to fully defend
the universal values of freedom, democracy, humanrights, and the rule of law. I will vigorously promote a freeand open Indo-Pacific.
Second is my determination to fully safeguard thepeace and stability of Japan. We will undertake revisions
to our National Security Strategy, National Defense
Program Guidelines, and Mid-Term Defense Program.
The cornerstone of Japan’s diplomatic and security
policies is the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which I will raise toan even greater height. The abductions issue is one of thehighest priority issues of the Kishida administration. I
will do everything in my power to realize the return of all
the abductees to Japan at the earliest possible date.
Third is my determination to lead the international
community by confronting global-level issues andcontributing to humankind. As a prime minister hailingfrom Hiroshima, the site of an atomic bombing, I will
do my very utmost to bring about a world free of nuclear
weapons.
New economic countermeasures
I instructed my Cabinet to take all possible measures torespond to COVID-19 and to formulate new economic
policies in order to trigger a new form of capitalism. We
will swiftly compile comprehensive and bold economic
policies.
Conclusion“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far,go together.”
We must overcome the divisions arising from economic
disparities, regional disparities, and the like and carve out
a new era. To make that possible, we will forge one team
aimed at all of us moving forward
together. Every night eventuallyturns into dawn. Holding
hands together with you, thecitizens, we will takea step towards
tomorrow.