(2) Basic Stance for Future Measures
(Significance of a Society in Which All Citizens are Dynamically Engaged)
On the second stage of Abenomics, we will tackle the issue of the declining birthrate and aging population head on. In order to establish a virtuous cycle of Japanese economy even more, we will further reinforce the economic policies of the prior “three arrows” and at the same time, try to build a new system of our economic society where we enhance childcare supports and social security as a broader economic policy, which will lead to a more robust economy. We will put a brake on the current tendency of the declining birthrate and aging population and build a society where everyone can find their own motivations. Everyone has a different way life and a different sense of values. A society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged is a society participated by all citizens, whether they are women or men, the elderly or youths, people who have experienced a failure, people with disabilities and people fighting an illness, can play active roles in their respective homes, workplaces and local communities or any other places.
This is not just a kind of social policy but can be called as the ultimate growth strategy. If we can build a society where all citizens are included, people’s feelings of security will be fostered and future prospects will be consolidated, which will also lead to a boost in consumption and the expansion of investment. In addition, through our attempts to encourage all citizens to fully show their own various talents, which will lead to
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improvement in the labor participation rate and creation of innovation, the economic growth is expected to accelerate further (a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution driven by inclusion and diversity).
Half a century ago, the population of Japan exceeded 100 million for the first time in its history. We were just in the middle of the period of spectacular economic growth. Efforts are rewarded. Tomorrow will be better than today. At that time, we could actually feel the meanings of these phrases. It was a period when the phrase, “Ichioku-Sou-Churyu”, which means “middle-class mentality of all citizens”, started to become a phrase on everybody’s lips. The world “Ichioku”, which means “100 million”, has been a figure representing abundance of Japan since then.
We will maintain the population at 100 million 50 years from now. However, just maintaining the population is never enough. We will seek to achieve a robust growth of our economy and by means of the growth, encourage all citizens to make their own lives more abundant. “Ichioku-Sou-Katsuyaku”, which means “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” is a concept which cherishes each life of every single citizen and is rather at the completely opposite end of an idea representing oppression by a nation which fits everything into a stereotypical value. As a generation living in the moment, it is our responsibility toward future generations to build a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged and everyone can take one more step forward.
Who will build a future of Japan? It is nobody else but us. If we give up overcoming the declining birthrate and aging population, then we cannot turn over glorious Japan to the generations of our children and grandchildren, which means abdication of the responsibility. None of these are simple issues for which a blueprint exists right from the start. However, convincing we can surely overcome, we will use the full range of policy instruments freeing ourselves from the traditional mindsets. There is a “wall” of discrimination against former graduates when they try to find employment. There is a “wall” preventing people from making another try. There is a “wall” preventing people from balancing childcare or nursing with jobs. And there is a “wall” of retirement and age discrimination. There is also a “wall” of traditional gender roles. Even when people try to do something, there is a reality where various “walls” are standing their ways. We will get rid of every single “wall” and steadily advance the processes described in the roadmaps established in this Japan’s Plan for Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens.
(New Three Arrows)
In order to build a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged, we have created a set of strong and large targets of “the largest nominal GDP in postwar history of 600
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trillion yen”, “the desirable birthrate of 1.8” and “no one forced to leave their jobs for nursing care” and new three arrows will be released toward these three targets.
The new first arrow is “a robust economy that gives rise to hope”. Through improvement in productivity and ensuring of labor allowed by innovation and working-style reform, we will enhance the supply side, make a virtuous cycle of economy keep on functioning and stimulate potential demands, which will lead to expansion of domestic demands. We will also let sleeping potentialities of loca