Even though the new year has started, it is impossible for people in Japan to put 2011 behind them. The effects of the March 11 triple disasters — the magnitude-9 earthquake followed by the massive tsunami that devastated the Tohoku coastal area, plus the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant — will continue to impact Japan.

Japan faces many more problems, including continuing deflation, hollowing out of Japanese industries caused by the strong yen, the severe conditions of state finances and the weakening of the social security system at home, sovereign debt crises in Europe, and an unstable situation in Northeast Asia in the wake of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's death.

In 2012, Japan's resilience as a state or its ability to squarely deal with and overcome difficult problems will be tested. Given the performance of the government and lawmakers in 2011, the prospect does not look bright. People need to closely watch the moves by government and political leaders and take concrete actions if necessary using various means available in a democracy.