自民党3氏、縦割り打破・経済浮揚訴え　総裁選告示

LDP candidates appeals for breakthrogh and econominc levitation

Former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihito Suga, and Fumio Kishida, President of the LDP presidential election, attended an open speech and joint press conference on the 8th. The digitalization delay of the government and the vertical division of the administration, which were revealed by the new coronavirus, were at issue.

■ Promotion of digitalization

Poor cooperation has been pointed out between the relevant ministries and agencies and between the national government and local governments in the new Corona disaster. The problem with the payment of benefits was that the procedure was complicated and slow. All three appealed that they would eliminate the harmful effects of vertical division of administration and promote digitalization.

Mr. Suga advocates "Break down the administration vertically". Mr. Kishida said he will collect domestic and international data on industry and medical care and use it for new corona countermeasures. Mr. Ishiba argues that a new infection control tower organization should be created.

Regarding the new corona countermeasures, Mr. Ishiba called for an early revision of the Special Measures Law. Mr. Suga advocates both infection control and economic activities. Mr. Kishida insists on expanding the PCR testing system.

■ Economy, Opinion

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policy "Abenomics" highlighted the differences in the positions of the three. While Mr. Suga and Mr. Kishida evaluated it, Mr. Ishiba did not use the word Abenomics either. Abenomics is characterized by large-scale monetary easing. While Mr. Suga has stated that he will continue, Mr. Kishida and Mr. Ishiba have raised problems.

■Diplomatic plans

In diplomacy and security, Mr. Suga said, "We will do our best to resolve the issue" regarding the abduction of Japanese people by North Korea. "For seven years and eight months, I was constantly involved in important foreign affairs matters as Chief Cabinet Secretary," he said.

Mr. Kishida has stated that "we will utilize the soft power of science and technology and cultural arts." He called for "leading the creation of international rules" on global issues such as nuclear disarmament and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Mr. Ishiba refers to the establishment of the "Asian NATO" with reference to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). "The collective security system in Asia," he said. It shows a plan to set up liaison offices in Tokyo and Pyongyang to solve the abduction issue.

Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO63599020Y0A900C2I00000/