Using Golden Week, I participated in the Japan-Australia young politicians exchange program. In this program, the Australian and Japanese government invites young politicians of each country to promote people-to-people exchanges between political leaders to deepen mutual understanding, aiming for stable development of the Japan-Australia relationship. Beginning from 1992, politicians such as Minister Amari, Minister Ishiba, and Minister Kishida had participated in the Japan-Australia young politicians exchange program. It had taken place 13 times and a total of 98 members of the National Diet had participated in the program.
On this tour, with Mr. Hideki Makihara, MP, as the leader, six young politicians from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito, the Democratic Party, and the Japan Innovation Party visited Canberra, Brisbane, and Sydney. Australia is the fourth trading partner for Japan. Conversely, Japan is the second trading partner for Australia and the two countries are an important economic partner. We are an important partner for the security of the Pacific and share the values of peace and liberalism. To the unilateral setting of China's defense identification zone, Australia expressed criticism to such conduct instantaneously. Also, private exchange is progressing, with Australia having 290,000 Japanese learners which is fourth in the world (population is world's No. ○ place) and is a pro-Japanese country.
In the visit to Australia, what I felt again was the wealthiness of Australia which was more than I expected. Australia is a country that has continued economic growth (annual average of 3.3%) for 23 consecutive years despite the collapse of Lehman Brothers. As a result, the GDP per capita has recorded the world sixth as 61,219 US dollars, which is near twice of Japan. Civilians, councilors, and even Japanese living in Australia, who I talked with were all very confident, and had a positive opinion for the future. The role played by a politician in order to bring happiness to the citizens are varied, but I newly recognized that it is especially important to continue to enrich their lives through economic growth.
At the same time, I also heard anxiety, despite the bright future prospects. While the resources boom had left and corporate activity had declined, house prices have continued to rise suspecting an occurrence of a bubble. I also heard that it had become difficult to steer future monetary and fiscal policy. With the aging society in the future, revising the pension and medical care system is also a challenge. Japan is a country that experienced the aging society and bubble economy before Australia, despite being questionable as a successful example, I think it will strengthen the bilateral ties by teaching this experience to Australia.
Among the MPs I interviewed in Australia, Wyatt Roy, from the House of Representatives impressed me the most. The eligibility in Australia to stand for an election is 18 years old which is the same age as the right to vote. Councilor Roy was first elected at the age of 20, and is in the second term of election although he is still 24 year old. He was the first member in the family that went to high school. He has no politicians in his relatives. In such an environment, he managed to win candidacy by door knocking, which he individually visited all members of the Liberal Party to win the candidate preliminary election of the Liberal Party. Councilor Roy repeatedly stated "we should not discuss how politics is bad, but how politics is good" which had impressed me, and despite the country is different, we should be like what he had stated.
Finally, everyone of the Australia tour delegation including Leader Makihara, everyone who supported us in Australia including the AEC, those who understood my absence from my constituency, I would like to express my gratitude for your kindness. For Japan, it is important to learn from Australia what could be learned, teach what Japan could teach to Australia, so that Japan and Australia can co-exist and co-prosper as an important partner. From this opportunity to visit Australia, I would want to develop stronger ties with Australia as the as the member of the Diet.
（Translated by Hayato Isaka）