The policy dialogue with President Lee Myung Bak was just wonderful, reminding us that a new vista of the future of Japan and Korea is opening. Japanese and Korean business communities asked him to resume EPA/FTA negotiations immediately. The President showed a positive attitude to our request. Although there wait hardships ahead of us, the two countries should never stop working hard together to strengthen the bilateral business relations. Keidanren is determined to contribute to the process.
The latest reform is anticipated to lead to more stable supply of medical benefit to elderly people. The problem is that the system still depends heavily on contribution from younger generation and its sustainability is a big question mark. More public money should be used for the health insurance scheme.
The government did not work enough to have the people fully understand how the system was reformed. It caused unnecessary confusion and anxiety among people. More efforts are desperately needed.
The support rate for Fukuda cabinet has been declining mainly because reforms PM Fukuda wants have not taken shape in the current difficult political situation. Prime minister has faced various key policy issues and worked on them quite seriously. Some public opinion surveys show his approval rating and people's views on his policy stance are changing for better. PM Fukuda will surely get back the people's support by solving difficulties one by one.
The situation that competing political parties enjoy majority in two different parliaments is not rare in foreign countries. It is important to make a new political rule so that ruling and opposite parties can somehow realize policies even in hard condition.