The government and the Democratic Party of Japan have started discussions on tax reform for fiscal 2011 and beyond. Both should learn a lesson from their experience just after the DPJ came to power in September 2009. At that time discussions at the government's Tax Commission did not go smoothly. The government and the DPJ need to present a clear vision of the future form of the nation's tax system.

If the DPJ wants to survive as a ruling party, the party and the government need to make proposals that differ in basic thinking from the policies adopted by the Liberal Democratic Party, which ruled Japan for decades, and that are reasonable and cohesive as policies.

They should also aim to stabilize people's lives and enliven activities not only with regard to the economy but also in spheres such as education, cultural activities and scientific research, while steering the state through difficult financial straits.