ニュース 2014/10/14 Kaieda slams regional revitalization legislation, states Abe administration’s economic policy is “destroying the regions” On October 14, DPJ President Banri Kaieda held his regular press conference at party headquarters. Kaieda began by expressing his condolences and sympathy for the destruction caused by Typhoon Vongfong, commenting, “This year we have been hit by heavy rains, typhoons and the eruption of Mount Ontake. Japan needs to make our response to such natural disasters more robust in order to protect the lives of Japanese citizens, and the DPJ will also continue work toward this goal.” Kaieda also commented on the government’s proposed regional revitalization legislation, currently being debated in the Diet, saying, “DPJ Diet member Shu Watanabe has already questioned Prime Minister Abe and other members of the administration regarding this in the plenary session of the House of Representatives, and it is clear that these legislative proposals lack substance. The Abe administration’s economic policy is tantamount to destroying the regions, and we will continue to use the forum of the Diet to question just how this economic policy will lead to regional revitalization.” Kaieda also referred to his recent visit to Akita Prefecture, stating, “One particular issue was also raised in a meeting organized by local assembly members from Tohoku Bloc. That is the movement by the various electric power companies to limit the purchase of renewal energy by feed-in tariffs (FIT). The FIT system was set up when the DPJ was the party of government. The production and consumption of energy at the local level is important for regional revitalization since it invigorates local economies and secures employment for local communities. We would like to continue to make renewal energy one of the pillars for regional rejuvenation.” Kaieda also commented on the impact of slumping rice prices, saying he had heard opinions such as, “It would be better if we still had the DPJ’s individual household income support system for farmers in place” and said, “We will work to have this system restored.” Furthermore, Kaieda announced that he had asked the Chair of the DPJ Gender Equality Promotion Headquarters, Mieko Kamimoto, to explore the introduction of a quota system for female candidates. Kaieda stressed: “According to the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality, the aim is for the number of female candidates in each House of the Diet to reach 30% by 2020. But the DPJ cannot achieve this goal on its own. We will also work to persuade the other parties to introduce similar quota systems.” Kaieda also commented on the recent Cabinet decision approving management guidelines for the special secrets Protection Law, saying, “I have no idea where the feedback from the public comment was reflected in this decision”, “the vague and arbitrary designation of special secrets has not been clarified” and “the proposed independent overseer of official documents is described as ‘independent’, but will still be part of the Cabinet Office, and not a truly independent entity.” Kaieda pointed out issues raised by the DPJ in Diet debate still remained unresolved, and in response to a reporter’s question, stated that the party would continue to debate the issue proactively in the Diet.