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On October 31, the questions from each party regarding Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s policy speech got underway in the plenary session of the House of Representatives. Policy Research Committee Chair Seiji Maehara represented the DPJ.
Maehara first stressed, “The mission of the DPJ government of Prime Minister Noda is to learn from the experience of the past two years, and once again endeavour to respond to the expectations of the Japanese people who chose a change of government. This is an occasion for them to show their true worth...For the sake of the nation and the Japanese people, the DPJ as a whole will unite to support with all our might both the commitment and the actions of the Prime Minister.” He went on to ask for the Prime Minister’s response to the following issues: (1) the administration’s response to results obtained from inter-party talks and Diet debate regarding the third supplementary budget and other issues, (2) his commitment to eliminate wasteful usage of tax money and to secure revenue from non-tax sources when asking the people to bear the burden of disaster reconstruction [costs] (3) the response to proposals regarding the personnel and organizational structure of the Ministry of Reconstruction, and the special reconstruction zones, (4) measures for dealing with duplicate loans and securing employment, (5) his commitment to bringing the nuclear accident under control and dealing with large-scale decontamination, (6) measures for combating the strong yen and the hollowing-out of Japanese industry, (7) his opinion regarding energy policy and re-starting operations at existing nuclear power plants, (8) additional efforts to explain the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to the people, (9) revitalization of farming, forestry and fisheries, and (10) relations with China and the Republic of Korea, the response to North Korea and his resolve to find a solution to the issue of the relocation of Futenma.
In response, Noda said of the third supplementary budget and related legislation: “From now on I will work to explain the contents carefully, and will respond flexibly to the results of the inter-party talks that are currently taking place in parallel, as well as listening carefully to the proposals made by each of the party caucuses during the Diet debate.”
Commenting on the political commitment needed when asking the people to bear the burden of disaster reconstruction, Noda said, “First of all it is vital for us to be resolutely determined in reducing expenditure by the administration as a whole. With regard to reducing the personnel costs of Diet members, as well as endeavouring to speedily enact legislation to reduce Diet members salaries, I and the other politicians holding office in the administration will voluntarily return a portion of our salaries without waiting for the legislation to be passed…I believe that it is I myself who is the one most be called upon to demonstrate resolve and competence. In consideration of that fact, I intend to respond carefully to this matter.”
With regard to the TPP, Noda said, “In order to deepen understanding among the Japanese people, I would like to continue to work painstakingly to explain and to provide information. Taking into account both the viewpoint that the TPP is a way of incorporating the growth of the Asian-Pacific region, which is the engine of growth for the world, and the viewpoint that we need to work to rejuvenate agriculture at the same time, we will continue to thorough debate participating in negotiations for a treaty which will enable us to pursue our national interest to the greatest degree possible. I would like us to come to a conclusion as soon as possible.”
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