ニュース
ニュース
2013/01/30
Kaieda criticizes PM Abe’s economic policies


On January 30, DPJ President Banri Kaieda took the podium in the House of Representatives to question Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the inaugural policy speech he gave on January 28. Kaieda first congratulated PM Abe on his inauguration, stating, “We should work hard and learn from each other for the future of Japan.” Turning to the policy speech, Kaieda criticized, “This was the first opportunity for PM Abe to make a speech in the Diet after his inauguration; and yet he delivered one that was both short in length and insufficient in content. That speech disappointed the audience.” Kaieda urged PM Abe to clarify his views about many issues that he offered little to no explanation on, including policies for financial soundness, energy, education, and social security.

At the start of the question time, Kaieda congratulated PM Abe on his inauguration and said, “Although we stand in different positions, we should work hard and learn from each other for the future of Japan.” PM Abe responded, “As a member of the same generation, I offer my respectful greetings to President Banri Kaieda, who has assumed leadership over the DPJ during very difficult times. I would be grateful for your cooperation toward constructive and intensive discussions.”

Kaieda then commented on the historical defeat in the House of Representatives election in December 2012, stating, “We have to take the severe results of the election seriously. We will make sincere efforts to listen to the opinions of the people and turn their criticisms into chances to revitalize the party.” Kaieda expressed his resolve to see the DPJ return to power as a political party trusted by the people of Japan.

Highlighting the differences between the DPJ and Abe administration, Kaieda said, “With the establishment of the Abe administration, we will see the Diet take the path of least resistance on economic problems by issuing additional national bonds and passing our fiscal burdens onto the next generation. This administration will lead a return to politics infested with Diet members who only act for special interests in government ministries and the industries they regulate and benefit from those efforts. And it will implement neoliberal economic policies that will merely create a society ruled by the laws of the jungle.” Kaieda also stressed, “The DPJ is the only party in this country that has called for and achieved policies which are responsible to the future, invest in people, and narrow domestic disparities.”

Exchanges during the question and answer session between the Prime Minister and Kaieda on individual issues were as follows.

Economic Policies

Kaieda asked, “The Abe administration seems intent on increasing public spending in order to overcome deflation. This rapidly decided solution is overly simplistic and will only sacrifice the next generation for the sake of meager economic recovery today. One round of extra public spending will never be enough to support continuous economic growth. Do you intend to continue pursuing this?” PM Abe replied, “We understand that we cannot afford to increase public spending forever. We will develop and realize growth strategies that will sustainably enlarge private investment and consumption.”

Automobile Weight Tax

Kaieda criticized the proposal by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito to amend tax revisions in order to define automobile weight tax as a financial resource for road maintenance, proclaiming, “This is the reestablishment of the system in which financial resources were exclusively set aside for the construction of roads that nobody needed.” Kaieda requested an explanation from PM Abe. Although PM Abe stated, “We recognize the automobile weight tax is for general revenue, and will not divert tax revenues for road projects,” these views are different from the policy stated by the LDP and New Komeito.

Energy Policies

Bringing up the policy of the DPJ to achieve zero dependence on nuclear power by the 2030s in reaction to the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Kaieda urged PM Abe to clearly express his thoughts on nuclear energy issues, saying, “The nuclear energy policies of the Abe administration can be summed up in a single word: regressive. The positioning of nuclear power stations is entirely unclear. The administration is merely procrastinating on the discussions we must have about this issue.” PM Abe responded, “There was no indication that the DPJ policy would be successful. “There was no indication that the DPJ policy would be successful." PM Abe expressed the wish to reconsider the entirety of current energy and environment strategies.

Local Sovereignty

Kaieda reprimanded the Abe government for proposing to abolish ‘subsidies with strings attached,’ a DPJ policy of offering local governments subsidies which they could basically use at their own discretion. Kaieda stated, “The incumbent administration will turn back the clock.” Kaieda asked PM Abe why he would abolish the subsidies. PM Abe answered, “There are some issues which have been requested from local municipalities, such as the integration of contact points with the national government, the simplifying of procedures, and the securing of a general account. We will halt the previous system and implement subsidies through ministries in order to respond to such needs. The ministries will integrate subsidy categories in order to simplify procedures.”
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