POLICY & DIPLOMACYCARVING OUT
THE FUTURE :A POLICY SPEECH BY PM KISHIDAAN EXCERPTDECEMBER 6, 2021
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202112/_00002.html

Having received a vote of confidence from thepeople, I will take on the extremely difficult challengesof overcoming COVID-19 and carving out a new era,
together with my fellow members of the Diet and myfellow citizens.
Overcoming COVID-19; economic countermeasures forpioneering a new era
The important thing is to assume the worst-case scenario.
In order to respond to the risk of the Omicron variant, wehave taken the decision to suspend the entry of foreign
nationals, applicable to the entire world. I am prepared tobear all the criticism that, although the situation is still not
well understood, this is excessively cautious. We adhere
to the position that we will respond in a careful, cautious
manner. I made the decision to prepare for a spread ofinfections, and we have injected government funds at ascale of 13 trillion yen.
At the same time, we will provide careful assistanceat a scale of 17 trillion yen to individuals and business
operators who are in severely trying situations because of
COVID-19.
That said, the world is changing dramatically in terms ofdigitalization and responses to the issue of climate change.
We have injected government funds at a scale of 20 trillion
yen, and Japan will take a major step forward towards
carving out a new era.
On the basis of this clear idea, we have named theselarge-scale measures at 55.7 trillion yen in total size the“economic measures to overcome COVID-19 and pioneer
a new era.”
Responses to COVID-19
I am determined to restore peace of mind to the public

and protect the lives and health of our citizens to the end.
First, we will ensure that our medical treatment
structure is solidly in place, with the next increase in thenumber of cases firmly in mind.
Second, we will lower the threat of COVID-19 to thegreatest possible extent as society as a whole. We will
fundamentally strengthen the entire course of progression
from prophylaxis and discovery to early treatment bymaking vaccines, screening, and orally administeredtherapeutics much more widespread.
The third is preparing a long-running system for
responding to infectious disease crises.
Support for economic recovery
Because of COVID-19, we will support throughsubsidies households that are in difficult economic straits,
university students in severe economic circumstances, andhouseholds raising children. For business operators, wewill vigorously support measures for business revival.
Based on a policy of loosening restrictions on activities
through the use of vaccines and testing as a package, wewill work to restart socioeconomic activities that are closeto normal.
A “new form of capitalism” that carves out our future society
What I aim for once we have overcome the crisis
caused by COVID-19 is the realization of a “new form ofcapitalism.”
The first point is our Growth Strategy. The public andprivate sectors will together play their roles and collaborate
in making bold investments for growth.
(1) Innovation
We will promote innovations achieved through scienceand technology and increase the economy’s ability tocreate added value, while also dramatically strengthening
the ecosystem surrounding start-ups. We will also actively
undertake university reform and establish a university
fund of 10 trillion yen within this fiscal year.
(2) A Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation
The “Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation” will use
digitalization to advance the revitalization of local areas
and additionally bring about bottom-up growth, movingfrom our regions to the nation as a whole.
(3) The issue of climate change
As we work towards achieving carbon neutrality by
2050 and realizing a 46 percent reduction in greenhousegas emissions by 2030, we will review restrictions on themaximum introduction of renewable energy while pushing
forward with bold investments in the field of clean energy.
(4) Economic security
With a view to further enhancing the resilience of thesupply chain and better ensuring the reliability of core
infrastructure, we will aim to submit new bills to next
year’s ordinary session of the Diet, based on consultations
with the ruling coalition.
We will establish Japan’s economic security, and at thesame time call in private-sector investment into thesefields, thereby realizing economic growth.
Distributions to people are not a cost, but rather aninvestment towards the future. Through the public andprivate sectors playing their respective roles together,
we distribute the fruits of growth properly. At the sametime, stimulating consumption leads to the next round ofgrowth.
The government will take the initiative and raise salaries
in fields such as medical nursing, nursing care, child care,and preschool education. Beyond that, we will make allout efforts to prepare an environment that supports wage
increases at private companies.
In order to make investments in human resources more
active, we will newly establish a package of measures at ascale of 400 billion yen over three years.
Diplomacy and security
I will visit the United States at the earliest possible
date and meet with President Biden for talks, further
reinforcing the deterrence and response capabilities of theJapan-U.S. Alliance. Working together with like-mindedcountries in ASEAN, Europe, and elsewhere, and utilizing
the Quad among Japan, the United States, Australia, andIndia, we will deepen our cooperation towards realizing aFree and Open Indo-Pacific.
I am determined to work extensively on maintaining
and strengthening the international order, which is basedon universal values and rules including dealing withinternational human rights issues.
In order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Japanesepeople, we will realistically examine all options, including
possessing what is called “enemy base attack capability,”
without excluding any possibilities, and, with a sense ofspeed, fundamentally reinforce our defense capabilities.
Towards this end, over the course of roughly a year we willdraw up a new National Security Strategy, National Defense
Program Guidelines, and a Mid-Term Defense Program.
To enable us to move even one step closer to a world freeof nuclear weapons, we will advance realistic efforts basedon trust and cooperation between nuclear weapon states
and non-nuclear weapon states.
The abductions issue is one of the highest priority issues.
We will make all-out efforts to bring about the return of all
abductees to Japan at the earliest possible date. Japan seeks
to normalize relations with North Korea, through thesettling of the “unfortunate past” and the comprehensive
resolution of the outstanding issues of concern with NorthKorea, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues.
Disaster response
Another important mission for the government is
protecting citizens’ lives, property, and livelihoods fromdisasters. We are strengthening our efforts to prevent andreduce disasters and enhance national resilience.
We will continue to make all-out efforts towards
reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake
while staying attentive to the voices of those in the disasterstricken areas.
Conclusion
I am fully convinced that Japan will be able to change
significantly by each of us demonstrating our potential to
the full and resolutely continuing to take on challenges.
Together, let us carry out our responsibilities to the next
generation and carve out a future of Japan in which we cantake pride on the global stage. 