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On April 11, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the Party Leaders’ Debate (Committee on Fundamental National Policies Joint Meeting of Both Houses at the Diet) for the third time since he was appointed prime minister. Noda expressed strong resolve to have legislation regarding the integrated social security and tax reform be enacted during the current Diet session, and called on opposition party leaders to engage in in-depth discussions. The debate was attended by Sadakazu Tanigaki, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Natsuo Yamaguchi, Chief Representative of the New Komeito, and Yoshimi Watanabe, Representative of Your Party, who joined in the debate for the first time.
LDP President Tanigaki expressed the reluctance of party leaders for talks at the present moment, saying, “You say that you will risk your political career. You should unite your own party before calling on the opposition parties.” Tanigaki also said, “There has been no specific proposal from the ruling party on the schedule for Diet deliberations.” To this, Prime Minister Noda replied, “The bills have been submitted, so we will do our best to have them passed. Detailed discussions have been made within the DPJ and we will continue to explain the issue carefully.” He strongly urged Tanigaki to participate in a party leaders’ meeting, saying, “It is necessary to have smooth Diet operations. It is also absolutely necessary to have dialogue between party leaders. I read the draft of the LDP manifesto and saw that it mentions a consumption tax rate of 10%. We share exactly the same views on this issue. Through talks between the party leaders we will be able to clarify what we agree on and what we disagree on. I earnestly wish to have in-depth discussions. So far you have told me to hurry and come up to the sumo ring. Why are you telling me to wait now?”
New Komeito Chief Representative Yamaguchi said, “There are still opponents to this legislation within the DPJ. Are you truly prepared to unite your party, push the deliberations forward and not procrastinate? Please show us your determination to make the necessary decisions as prime minister.” Yamaguchi also said, “Gasoline prices have been on the rise for seven weeks in a row, and the people are alarmed by this. The government should do something about this quickly.” In response, Prime Minister Noda said, “I made a grave decision when I said that ‘I would risk my political career.’ It is an expression that I chose in order to convey all the thoughts I have as a politician.” Regarding the rise in gasoline prices, Noda said, “We hope to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible.”
Your Party Representative Watanabe said, “What the DPJ is trying to do is exactly the same as the LDP. The revenue from consumption tax and other indirect taxes should be provided to local governments.” Noda dismissed the comment, saying it was “absurd agitation.”
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