Kishida’s ‘new capitalism’ old wine in a stale bottle

TOKYO : Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had taken office last October promising a “new capitalism” to end decrease and boost residing standards. Ten a few months on, the organization already looks instead old.

The issue: Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is definitely placing its wagers on a 31 yen per hour boost – a paltry US$0. 23 – in the minimum wage. That is a gambit that’s nor new nor especially capitalist nor very likely to catalyze the virtuous cycle associated with rising consumer demand Tokyo now desperately needs.

To make sure, there’s merit to raising the minimal hourly pay in the current 961 yen, or US$7. twenty, during the current financial year ending within March 2023. Yet two big issues are already undermining what Kishida’s party can be spinning as an epochal achievement.