No signs of policy reform or creativity under Kishida
When inspiration is what’s sorely needed, Fumio Kishida seems more likely to avoid rocking the boat and to co-operate with the LDP’s conservative nationalist faction bosses.
Japan’s political calendar in 2021 was dominated by the government’s commitment to hosting the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games in July in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the election of the leader of the ruling LDP in September and then of lower house election in October.
This series of events marked the end of Yoshihide Suga’s time as prime minister after just one year and the inauguration of Fumio Kishida. Yet, the change in leadership shows no sign yet of bringing much-needed change in policy direction despite the domestic and foreign challenges faced by the new administration.
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Ben Ascione is Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University. He is also the Japan editor at East Asia Forum and a research associate at the Japan Centre for International Exchange.
