Japan faces an urgent need to make a sweeping transition comparable in magnitude to the periods that followed the Meiji Restoration and the end of World War II. But judging from the plenary debates conducted in both Houses of the Diet this week, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's program of national revival seems to be falling far short of public expectations.
The three-day question-and-answer session from Wednesday, held in response to Prime Minister Koizumi's policy speech on Monday, did not go far enough in addressing public concerns about his "structural reforms with no sacred cows." Adding to uncertainties over the program is the increasing severity of economic conditions. As yet there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Japan is seen to be adrift, with no reliable compass to guide it.
No wonder that an increasing number of people are beginning to doubt whether the Koizumi crusade will succeed. While supporting his drive to change Japan, they are becoming increasingly skeptical about his slogan, "no pain, no reform." The feeling is that he is not matching his words with deeds. All this, combined with his falling popularity, is raising questions about the future of the Koizumi administration.