I was tremendously interested in the Dec. 17 editorial, "LDP back in the saddle again." A few comments about that.
In the middle part of the Showa Era (1960s), the Liberal Democratic Party government took up industrialization. Japan became a comparatively rich country while agricultural self-sufficiency declined below 40 percent. At that percentage it would be very easy for foreign countries to starve Japan.
Next, the LDP urged people to allow the construction of nuclear power plants despite the lack of knowledge of how to dispose of radioactive waste properly. The people were deceived!
Then the LDP took up deregulation policies under pressure from outside. Many retailers went bankrupt as a result, and Japan became that much poorer.
For those reasons, I hated the LDP and expected the Democratic Party of Japan to do better. Alas, the DPJ didn't keep its promises, and it became the hated party ahead of last Sunday's elections.
I expect LDP leader Shinzo Abe to choose the right man or woman for each ministry position — not personal friends like last time. It is important for the Cabinet and each minister to work as long as possible. I urge Abe not to change ministers so often!
If the new Cabinet can say "no" to the United States, China and South Korea with regard to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, territorial disputes and so forth, we will respect Abe and the LDP.
And if Abe can help provide comfort to the people affected by the 3/11 tsunami and nuclear disaster, as well as resolve the status of Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korean agents in the past, we will respect him and the LDP.
We do hope that the LDP carries out what it has promised. If not, the LDP will soon share the same plight as the DPJ and Abe might end up being remembered as "Abe the Terrible."
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.