

A recent government survey shows that ordinary citizens such as taxi drivers and shop managers feel that the economy has been rapidly deteriorating in the past three months due to small winter bonuses and the bad employment situation.

The policy aims to create 1.4 million new jobs in the environmental and energy sectors, 2.8 million new jobs in the medical, nursing care and health sectors, and 560,000 new jobs in tourism and regional revitalization; and to raise Japan's food self-sufficiency to 50 percent.

This approach will likely help increase Japanese exports at a time when rapid expansion of domestic demand is unlikely due to the dwindling population. The government should flesh out the basic policy with the backing of funds as soon as possible. (The Japan Times)