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On February 19, the Chair of the Diet Affairs Committee in the House of Councillors Kenji Hirata held his regular press conference inside the Diet building, and discussed the progress of the budget for fiscal 2010, now being debated in the House of Representatives, and the way in which the head-to-head debate between party leaders should take place.
With regard to the budget, Hirata said, “It would be best if it were to reach the House of Councillors during this month, but I doubt that things will go that smoothly,” and went on to say, “In any case, the budget will automatically pass the House of Councillors under the 30 day rule, so I would like us to debate it thoroughly for 30 days.”
Hirata added, “If intensive debate is called for, we will do our best to comply with that.” He went on to stress that “If we see a debate such as that in the meeting of the Committee on Fundamental National Policies the other day, the public will look at this and some will say, “the Diet isn’t the place for such behaviour” and “There’s nothing but talk of politics and money”. Politics and money should be discussed in the forum for debating that issue. (In their head-to-head debate) the party leaders should discuss the shape Japan should take.”
Hirata went on to say, “I want to impress upon the opposition parties that the Committee on Fundamental National Policies should be a forum to debate the nation’s fundamental policies.”
Hirata also commented on reports that there were voices within the DPJ calling for the involvement of Diet members outside of the administration in policy matters, saying, “Things are still very much trial and error. Discussions (on this) will start (in due course).”
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