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On February 17, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama engaged in his first head-to-head battle with LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi since becoming Prime Minister.
In response to a proposal from Yamaguchi relating to the establishment of a discussion forum between the ruling and opposition parties with regard to the proposed revision of the Political Fund Control Law (prohibiting donations from corporations and other organizations, increasing the oversight responsibility borne by politicians etc.), Hatoyama responded, “The DPJ would like to express our agreement with the establishment of such a discussion forum.” Hatoyama also took a positive stance with regard to increasing politicians’ oversight responsibility, saying, “The DPJ would also like to make efforts to ensure a definite legislative proposal can be produced.”
Hatoyama urged Tanigaki to agree to the ban on donations from corporations and other organizations, saying, “Now is the time for this to be realized,” but Tanigaki made no response.
Moreover, in response to a question from Tanigaki regarding fiscal management, Hatoyama emphasised, “We have stated that we will not increase the consumption tax rate for four years, and we have no intention of changing that.” He went on to state “We would like to issue a clear mid-term vision for the medium-term fiscal framework,” emphasizing that the government would make clear by the end of May the path they intended to take to restore public finances to health.
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