일본의 신자유주의와 민주당의 ‘우애사회’ 실험에 관한 일 고찰: 노동정책을 중심으로

Abstract

Not only was the global financial crisis major blow to the real economy of Japan, but it also exposed explicitly Japan’s troubles from structural reforms based on liberalism and the country’s prolonged recession. First of these ‘troubles’ is the discrepancy between sluggish domestic economy, which still remains second largest in the world economy and heavy dependence on exports for growth. Second is the inconsistency between flexibility and security of employment. No doubt, these troubles b stirred public opinion that led to the historical change of power in the 2009 Lower House election. The study regards the so-called ‘fraternity’ initiated by the Democratic Party of Japan (hereinafter DPJ) as a counteraction against neo-liberalism and examines the meaning and important points concerning the issue, with focus on employment policy. In terms of actual accomplishment of the fraternity, the DPJ has stressed security for non-regular workers, particularly dispatch of temporary workers. Meanwhile, there was little progress in areas such as affirmative labor market policy, support system for job-seekers and work-life balance in the platform for employment policy. In short, the DPJ can hardly be considered to have shown adequate policy performance. Although DPJ’s lackluster achievement may be attributable to defects in the fiscal system, most of the responsibility may lie with political leadership. A crucial fact remains that the DPJ has yet to demonstrate a trustworthy fiscal restructuring plan including raising consumer the tax, since fiscal deterioration is a decisive factor that can constrain the government’s role. Consequently, the DPJ administration needs to take into account serious fiscal crisis needs for restoring the public arena with fiscal reform if it is indeed serious about pursuing a fraternal society. It is time for Japan to consider rigorous self- examination regarding the division of labor between the state and market given present fiscal constraints.