In June 2012, the bills related to the comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems were finally passed by the Lower House of the Diet. Although, at the time of writing this article, the Upper House of the Diet has yet to vote on those bills and there are still many issues to be addressed, including the reform of the pension programs and other parts of the social security system, Japan has taken a major step toward establishing a sustainable social security system and achieving fiscal consolidation — two critical issues of the day.

People tend to put off dealing with difficult issues, such as achieving fiscal consolidation and establishing a sound material-cycle society. However, the longer we, the current generation, delay in dealing with the critical issues of the day, the worse the consequences will be for the future generations. I don't think anyone would disagree with me when I say that I don't want to pass any negative legacy on to my children or grandchildren. The current generation has the moral responsibility to decisively deal with crucial problems for the good of the future generations.

In Japan, we, including the politicians, have time and time again failed to squarely face critical issues and form a consensus on how to deal with them. As a result, necessary reforms have not been implemented. The lack of consensus may be partly due to the differences in our recognition of the current situation or vision of Japan' future, but amid prolonged economic difficulties, we, the current generation, may have put aside our vision of Japan's future too easily in order to avoid the present pain as much as possible.

In the U.S. and Europe, youth unemployment rates have risen sharply, and the antagonism between the older and younger generations is becoming a serious social issue. To prevent Japan from going down the same road, initiatives to revitalize the Japanese economy must be steadily implemented with determination and will, under a clear vision of its future, as well as promoting the participation of youth in politics.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator, philosopher and politician, in his Tusculan Disputations, quotes a line from Synephebi by the poet Caecilius Statius, "One plants trees for the benefit of a coming generation." And, then asks, "Will not the great man in like manner plant laws, institutions, the commonwealth?" ^*

There is not much time left for us. Now is the time to plant useful trees, one by one, carefully and continuously.