Edmond-Club-ET7

The Necessity of Balanced Administration

     The Japan Series of this year was of no interest because the Yomiuri Giants defeated
the Seibu Lions making a four-to-nil record. Only Giants’ fans were satisfied with the result.
Many people expected exciting games and awaited five and more. Some people were
disappointed at spoiled economical effects because of the absolute minimum games. Nobody
probably sees the fun of baseball leagues now that the only strong team exists. Extremely
abnormal is the baseball world in which some fans are happy. A similar situation applies to
Japanese politics. It is only people living in urban areas represented by Tokyo who have
enjoyed clear administrative profits. As a result, the life of people in local areas is neglected
in Japanese administration.
     Tokyo Metropolis should be sensible of its responsibility for unfair administration. It is
not too much to say that they have been assisting the national administration. The Diet
decided to transfer the function of the capital twelve years ago. However, Ishihara, Governor
of Tokyo Metropolis, has been strongly objecting to the decision. Transferring the function
of the capital is a project to reinvigorate local economics and culture. Ishihara is opposed to
the resolution of the Diet although the transfer of the function of the capital is a good
opportunity for local areas to prosper with urban areas. Furthermore, it is out of the question
that Ishihara has been asserting the construction of a casino in Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolis has
something else to do. Constructing a casino should be left to other local governments that
are in tighter financial conditions although few local governments may apply for introducing
a casino. Basically, Tokyo Metropolis should not be politically selfish but bear the cooperative
development with other local areas in mind
     Traffic administration is also against the interests of local governments. For example,
construction of freeways is a clue to the development of local areas. Constructing railways is
also a key to revitalize them. It is not until the equipment of traffic networks that blood is
poured into the bodies of local areas. Nowadays, politics without dreams or visions are
rampant, so local areas are apt to be left behind. Okinawa is a good example. It is unnatural
that Okinawa has no railway service. There is a considerable gap between Okinawa and Japan
proper even now. Building new bullet lines is necessary to some local areas. Although the
Japanese government often says that the equipment of traffic networks in local areas is
impossible, in fact, it has caused a loss of 30,000,000,000 yen in issuing 2,000 yen-currency
that is in little circulation. Politicians should not be concerned only with the reduction of
traffic networks because of recession. Public funds exist so that the whole country can be
happy.
     Finally, privatization of three postal enterprises (mail service, savings and postal life
insurance) is extremely disadvantageous to people in local areas. In particular, post offices
are necessary to urban areas in order to deposit money. Now, they are throughout the
country. That is why they are very convenient to local people. If all post offices were
privatized and disappeared from Japan, what should people in the country do? They have
to drive faraway in order to withdraw just 1,000 yen. Today, even great banks have a hard
time, and cannot afford to take care of local people or areas. If saving enterprises of post
offices were privatized, many baking facilities would disappear from small towns and villages
in Japan. Undoubtedly, it is local people that are turned adrift at this time.