CRI听力:Abe's New Year Speech Met with Skepticism Among Japanese Public

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listed achievements in his government's efforts to repair Japan's economy - rising employment and wages - and claims Japan is no
longer in deflation.

However, consumer consumption levels in the country are still lower than what they were before he enacted an unpopular tax hike in April of 2014.

Many locals in Tokyo say they do not have much confidence in the country's economic recovery.

"I think the Abenomics is only half way there. I think and hope it is entering the final phase."

"To white collar workers like us, we measure the economy by something more visible, like our wages and our living standards. I have not felt them as much and I think public confidence will return once we see something more visible."

On foreign affairs, the Prime Minister promised to continue to work closely with the world and take a lead in facing international issues.

But Japanese publicist Honzawa Jiro says the Prime Minister's foreign policy failed to bring success to Japan in 2015, and instead led Japan into a diplomatic quagmire.

"From Abe's own standpoint, his diplomacy may be a success. However, from the standpoint of the Japanese and Asian people who love peace, it's quite awful. I'm sorry to make this conclusion."

He also says Japan should stick to its pacifist Constitution as many Japanese people worry Abe's Constitutional reform is leading Japan to a dangerous place.

"The pacifist Constitution of Japan is based on the overall international situation. It stresses that wars should be avoided. It's an excellent constitution.

Japan should abide by this constitution, keep good diplomatic relations with all countries and never become a military threat."

Despite this, Abe persisted with his policy of Constitutional reform.

In the more powerful lower house of parliament, Abe's ruling coalition has a two-thirds majority and hold a majority in the smaller upper caucus.

Article 96 of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that the nation's Supreme Law can be considered for revision if at least two-thirds from each chamber of
parliament approve the motion and the majority do so in a referendum.

For CRI, I'm Ryan Price.