TOEFL iBT Independent Writing, Suppose you had the power to make one important change in the government of your country. What change would you like to make, and why?- revised -

Writing Topic: Suppose you had the power to make one important change in the government of your country. What change would you like to make, and why?

☆Hints for Points

1       money politics (“seiji to kane” no mondai): Corrupted politicians are supported in elections by interest groups (big businesses) in return for doing favor for them. For decades, they have weakened Japanese economy mainly by allocating large part of the budget for building unnecessary airports, bridges, roads, and other facilities whose construction even the local people question. Anti-corruption laws have been enacted but there are loopholes. Part of the problem is that those who make these laws are the very people who are regulated by them, politicians. Also, whistle-blowing will cost one’s job. To establish a committee which is totally independent from the government and which makes original budget plans and has authority to intervene government spending might be an idea to solve the problem.

2       absence of accountability: Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, it has become clearer than before that no one in the cabinet can take a real initiative and responsibility, while everyone trying hard to hide information from the public. Group-orientation and custom of dodging responsibilities is the foundation of the Japanese system and therefore it is not likely to change easily.

3       decentralization (chihoubunken): Japan is a highly centralized state where government bureaucrats take the initiative. While this practice might be generally suitable for this small country, the drawback is less freedom in local governments and political apathy. The government should partly shift authority in some areas such as education, welfare, and development

4       revitalization of the disaster-stricken areas: Disaster victims such as those hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tsunami have been suffering since then. We have to think of some viable measures for them to be able to build a new life.

5       care for migrant workers: Japan has decided to accept a large number of migrant workers due to shortage of workforce, yet it has done little to provide the workers with good conditions in their lives in Japan. Especially, there are already 40,000 children of foreign descent who need support in studies in Japanese but do not receive it. It is imperative for the government to take action now to make Japan a successful multi-ethnic society.

6       disarmament: As the only country which has been bombed with atomic weapons, Japan should be more assertive in disarmament. When most of the people who actually experienced the attack and the aftermath are no longer with us, we should more consciously try to pass down the memory of the history to the next generation and keep requesting world peace based on diplomatic relations between countries.

7       the gap between the rich and (the) poor: Wealth gap has been getting bigger in Japan, which was famous as a relatively equal society till a decade ago. It has been proved that income inequality causes many kinds of problems. Therefore, the government should work on the problem more seriously. For example, basic income, free education, and free medicine will help greatly the disadvantaged and the country, which will lead to vitalized economy and stabilized society.

8       sharing the rights to use Takeshima and Senkaku Islands with other countries that insist their rights to possess them. This will soften the tension between involved countries and enrich all. （People’s Peace  Johan Galtung）