Regarding the Aug. 31 editorial, "Historic day for Japanese politics": The election of the Democratic Party of Japan is being celebrated by the usual suspects — people who are less interested in how economic value is created than in how to confiscate and control it for the benefit of the poor, the environment, and those who don't want to work very hard.
Besides the long-term unworkability of the DPJ's myriad social spending promises, these policies also create a dependence mentality, which saps creativity, energy and intelligence from society. Japan cannot afford a less dynamic population. It needs greater dynamism and creativity than ever before if the shrinking workforce is to support the graying society. Instead, the DPJ wants to shackle that workforce with empty-headed, populist attacks and policies against capitalism. Change you can believe, Japan style.