Japan's Election: Landslide for Koizumi | 9 comments (9 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

interesting...

But where were Japan's economic problems during the campaign? Were there any different reform concepts by the LDP and DPJ? - I am just watching the German party leaders' speeches as they are beginning the last week of their election campaigns, and it's all about the economy. From my point of view, I can hardly believe economic issues were not the main theme. Any comment on this question would be very appreciated!

by Saturday (geckes(at)gmx.net) on Sun Sep 11th, 2005 at 09:11:30 AM EST

Re: campaign issues? (none / 0)

Surprisingly, economic issues have never been seriously debated. For one thing, the official campaign period is only 12 days and the mass media and the people have been unable to calm down from the excitement over the postal privatization. Another reason is Japan's macroeconomic policy, either fiscal or monetary, is dominated by bureaucracy and it is unlikely to change much.

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Sun Sep 11th, 2005 at 10:54:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: campaign issues? (none / 0)

maybe the postal privatisation is a vicarious issue for a more general approach to economic issues? Maybe Koizumi's success means more privatisation and more free-market policy also in other areas?

by Saturday (geckes(at)gmx.net) on Sun Sep 11th, 2005 at 04:55:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Privatisation (none / 0)

This has been his favored approach, with mixed short-term results. It is not yet clear if he would seek to apply the privatisation solution to social policies including the national health insurance and the pension, which are major causes of huge government deficits. In any event, the postal service is the last remaining government industry.

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Sun Sep 11th, 2005 at 10:18:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Japan's Election: Landslide for Koizumi | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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