As the campaign for the July 21 Upper House election swings into full mode, a few political parties are calling for introduction of a "do-shu" system, which would divide the nation into several administrative regions with their own regional government. Prefectural governments would be abolished.
But the parties have not discussed why a do-shu system is necessary, what it would be like and how to build it.
What's worse, some politicians are trying to give the impression that a do-shu system will help solve many difficult problems Japan is facing. But it should not be talked about lightly because its implementation would mean a complete change in Japan's system of governance and could have serious consequences, such as weakening the nation's social welfare system.