Introduction: Why “People Matter”
History Proves the Importance of People
“People matter”—this is the simple yet profound truth I have arrived at through my studies of history and my experience as a person who overcame a severe disability to reintegrate into society.

No matter how great a country is, it is meaningless if there are no people living in it.
On the other hand, even without a country, as long as there are people, communities emerge, cultures flourish, and eventually, nations are formed.

However, when we look at today’s politics and economy, it seems that their true purpose has been forgotten.
Policies are implemented for the sake of the country, and economic measures are taken for the sake of growth, while the most important aspect—the happiness of the people—is being overlooked.

In this article, I will analyze the current state of politics and the economy and explore how we can create a society where “people matter”.

Table of Contents
Taxes Should Serve People, Not the State
Why Does Economic Growth Not Improve Our Lives?
How Politics and the Economy Have Lost Their True Purpose
A New Approach: People-Centered Politics and Economy
What We Can Do: Taking Action for a Better Future
Conclusion: Building a Society Where People Truly Matter
1. Taxes Should Serve People, Not the State
The True Purpose of Taxes
Taxes exist to support the lives of citizens.
They should be used to fund education, healthcare, welfare, and infrastructure, ensuring that everyone has a better quality of life.

However, in Japan today, the reality is quite different.
Instead of benefiting the people, taxes have become a burden, with higher consumption taxes, increased social security costs, and reduced public benefits.

The Flaws in the Tax System
Consumption tax hikes → Increased burden on low-income households
Corporate tax cuts → More retained earnings for large corporations
Reduced pensions and social services → Growing financial insecurity
Ideally, taxes should function as a tool for wealth redistribution, reducing inequality.
Yet, today’s policies favor the wealthy and large corporations, leading to widening economic disparity and greater hardship for ordinary citizens.

2. Why Does Economic Growth Not Improve Our Lives?
The Contradiction Between GDP Growth and Stagnant Wages
We often hear news reports celebrating Japan’s GDP growth, but does that actually make our lives better?

The answer is no.
While corporate profits are rising, real wages have remained stagnant for over 20 years.

Corporate profits → Distributed as shareholder dividends or retained earnings
Worker wages → Hardly increasing
Higher consumption taxes → Reduced disposable income
This system benefits corporations and investors but leaves workers struggling to make ends meet.
What we truly need is not just economic growth, but policies that directly improve people’s lives.

3. How Politics and the Economy Have Lost Their True Purpose
What Should Be the True Goal of Politics and the Economy?
The ultimate goal of both politics and the economy should be the happiness of the people.
However, today, the focus has shifted towards maintaining government stability and achieving economic growth as ends in themselves.

Tax hikes for “fiscal soundness”
Pro-business policies for GDP growth
Increased defense spending while cutting social welfare
Are these policies truly improving people’s lives?
Or are they simply prioritizing the government’s own stability over the well-being of its citizens?

We must refocus political and economic decisions on the needs of the people, rather than just maintaining the system itself.

4. A New Approach: People-Centered Politics and Economy
We Need Policies That Prioritize People Over Institutions
To create a society where “people matter,” we need fundamental reforms in politics and the economy.

① Tax System Reform
Lower the consumption tax
Ensure fair corporate taxation
Increase public investment in education, healthcare, and welfare
② Wage and Employment Reform
Raise the minimum wage
Improve conditions for non-regular workers
Promote better work-life balance
③ Political Transparency and Citizen Involvement
Ensure transparency in political funding
Introduce more direct democracy mechanisms
Create systems that better reflect public opinion in policymaking
By implementing these changes, we can shift from a system that prioritizes institutions to one that truly values people.

5. What We Can Do: Taking Action for a Better Future
Many people feel powerless when it comes to politics and the economy.
However, change is only possible when we take action.

Three Ways to Make a Difference
Stay informed about politics and vote in elections
Use social media and blogs to share your thoughts
Engage in discussions and spread awareness within your community
A single voice may seem small, but when many voices come together, they can create real change.
By raising awareness and taking collective action, we can help reshape Japan’s future.

6. Conclusion: Building a Society Where People Truly Matter
Politics and the Economy Exist for the People, Not the Other Way Around
As we have explored in this article, politics and the economy are meant to serve the happiness of the people.
However, in today’s Japan, these systems have become self-serving, with the government and corporations benefiting while ordinary citizens continue to struggle.

That is why we must reclaim the focus on people.

No matter how advanced a nation is, it is meaningless if its people are suffering.
On the other hand, as long as people are thriving, communities, cultures, and even nations can be built.

Now is the time to speak up, take action, and demand a society that truly values its people.

Share This Message and Join the Movement
If this article resonated with you, please share it on social media or with your friends.
The more people who understand and discuss these issues, the greater the chance we have to create meaningful change.

Your voice matters.
Your actions matter.
Because, after all, people matter the most.