Indonesians hope for a leader like Japan's PM Koizumi

By Kornelius Purba

JAKARTA: The election of Junichiro Koizumi as prime minister increases hope for the Japanese who are desperately seeking an end to the prolonged economic crisis.

Indonesian newspapers have also placed stories about Koizumi on their front pages.

Many Indonesians, fed up with their ongoing national leadership crisis, are enthusiastic about the new development in Japan. They hope that a politician like Koizumi will eventually turn up in Indonesia. We, like the Japanese, are also attracted to Koizumi's colorful life, including his failed marriage. Because Koizumi is not well known in Indonesia, his election was described by Indonesian newspapers as a big surprise.

The victory of Koizumi brings to mind the election of Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid. Abdurrahman's promise to rebuild Indonesia was even more convincing because of his past role as a human rights activist and prominent Muslim scholar. But promise and commitment are often totally different from reality.

During my six-month stay in Japan I have had the opportunity to observe the gloomy political life and stalled economic growth of Japan.

As a guest researcher for The Asahi Shimbun Asia Network, I was given the opportunity to meet with politicians, such as newly appointed Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Taku Yamasaki, and activists from nongovernmental organizations.

Yamasaki is known in Indonesia as a strong lobbyist. He is the chairman of the Japan-Indonesian Diet Members League.

My Japanese friends told me Yamasaki and rebel Koichi Kato had no political future because they had failed to topple then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

At the time, the LDP was busy talking about the need to go ahead with infrastructure projects, like expanding the Shinkansen network across Japan.

Meanwhile, the economy continued deteriorating and many parties and even the U.S. government are urging Japan to make reforms. During my stay, it was difficult to find supporters of the Mori administration.

Many were ashamed of his behavior. Most of the people I met were frustrated by their government and the corrupt political elite. It was also funny to see how Mori tried to save his government by arranging summits with U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Interestingly, Japan's new leader comes from Mori's own faction. Koizumi was among the first candidates who openly expressed his desire to lead the world's second most powerful economy. Mori brought his nation to the brink of disaster, but his comrade, Koizumi, is expected to restore Japan's dignity on the world stage.

His determination to end the domination of LDP factions, to reform the economy, to privatize postal services, despite strong opposition from the powerful Hashimoto faction, is very impressive. But it might be difficult to implement such sensitive policies.

The selection of the outspoken Makiko Tanaka to lead the Foreign Ministry is also interesting.

After the embarrassing corruption scandal by a middle-ranking official earlier this year, the ministry needs a strong person.

Tanaka is remembered in my country as the daughter who accompanied her father, then Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, on a visit to Jakarta on Jan. 15, 1974.

Her father's visit was met by the biggest ever anti-Japanese riot in Jakarta. Koizumi has also sparked protests, especially from China and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), over his remarks on the need to revise the Constitution and the need for Japan to have its own military.

Dependence on the United States for security and defense has caused many problems for Japan.

In a recent conversation with Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine, I got the strong impression that Japan needs to clear up security matters with the United States.

As a sovereign state, it is natural for Japan to deter mine its own future.

A referendum is necessary for people to have a say in the country's future, and Japan should learn from its historic mistakes. However, the nation should not let itself be trapped by history.

Its dependence on the United States to provide security has frustrated many people.

The reports about the negative behavior of U.S. soldiers stationed in Japan and the anger displayed by the Japanese reflects the deep frustration of the people.

Japan's measures to strengthen multilateral security arrangements with its Asian neighbors is conducted through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.

However, the measures concentrate more on building confidence, as many Asian countries remain suspicious of Japan's sincerity. Meanwhile, the Japanese economy continues to weaken.

Japan is one of the strongest motivators behind the global economy. Its economic revival is the key for the economies of Asian countries and the world.

For Indonesia, Japan's recovery means Indonesia can export more commodities and expect more investment.

Japan has played a leading role in helping several Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), in trying to resolve the 1997 financial crisis.

It strongly encouraged those countries to abide by the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) bitter prescription.

Japan must also accept IMF measures as the nation faces the problems of bank restructuring and settling of bad loans.

Koizumi has said reform, not economic stimulus, is the key to economic recovery.

Indonesia has experienced painful reform measures, not just for the people, but also for the politicians and private companies who lost their privileges.

Koizumi has support from his people. Abdurrahman, in the beginning, had the same support. But now Abdurrahman's departure is apparently only a matter of time.

Giving promises and making those promises reality is not the same.

Koizumi will hopefully be able to end Japan's prolonged economic crisis. In his election campaign he repeatedly said reforms, like bank restructurings, are the only way for Japan to get out of its economic crisis.

Western countries and Japan have always told Asian countries -- especially Indonesia -- to adhere to IMF measures. Japan has said it is the only way to prevent economic problems.

Now is the right time for Japan to practice what it preaches. Open the economy to free competition, end political corruption and conspiracies between the political elite, bureaucrats and the private sector.

Japan needs strong leadership; Koizumi's stance over the history textbook controversy was impressive, because a leader has to sometimes take risks.

The recovery of the Japanese economy is important for the revival of Asia. Many Asian countries are waiting for Koizumi to make concrete results.

There are 900 Japanese firms operating in Indonesia. The companies cannot develop, not just because of Indonesia's severe political and economical crisis, but also because of the difficulties faced by their parent companies in Japan.

Many Japanese firms are frustrated by the situation in Indonesia.

An example is the car upholstery producer PT Kadera AR Indonesia, whose parent company is located in Aichi Prefecture.

Upset with prolonged strikes, the company allegedly used violence to end such activities. Two employees were killed when an unidentified group attacked them at the plant in Jakarta. The case has not been resolved.

But the company's frustration may also reflect Japan's frustration in resolving its economic crisis.

The writer is a reporter of The Jakarta Post and a former guest researcher for the Asahi Shimbun Asia Network, in which the article first appeared.