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Questions relating to the Policy Speech by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda took place on 31 October in the plenary session of the House of Representatives. During the session Diet member Yoshito Sengoku stood up to pose questions on behalf of the Democratic Party of Japan and Club of Independents, and People’s New Party. Sengoku asked questions relating to the following: (1) The crisis enveloping Japan and political challenges, (2) Disaster response and the fight to respond to the nuclear accident, (3) The current status of both the Strategy for Rebirth of Japan and the global economy, and the way forward for the Japanese economy, (4) The image of Japanese society that should be worked towards, (5) The path Japanese diplomacy should follow, and (6) The political positioning of the DPJ.
Concerning the crisis enveloping Japan, Sengoku noted that the single largest challenge facing the country is the response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear accident. He further mentioned the stagnation of the economy, the progression of population decline caused by the low birth rate and ageing society, and the crisis facing parliamentary and party politics. In addition, he noted that the political crisis could be overcome during the extraordinary Diet session by the resolution of the following two challenges: (1) The passage of the bill on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds, and (2) Correcting the disparity in the value of votes in different constituencies. Concerning the former, he put forth a request to the opposition parties, stating, “I would like the members of the opposition to consider what a responsible opposition should be. Looking at the big picture and transcending political thinking, I want to see the unconditional passage of the bill on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds as soon as possible.” He also put forward a further request, stating, “With regard to the correction of the disparity in the value of votes in different constituencies, this is something that the Supreme Court has deemed to be unconstitutional and a response cannot be delayed further. The ruling and opposition parties must engage in consultations immediately and cooperate to realise the passage of the legislation to partially amend the Public Offices Election Law and the Act for Establishment of the Council on the House of Representatives Electoral District.” He questioned PM Noda’s desire and motivation to ensure the achievement of these challenges.
With regard to the creation of rules to deal with budget formulation and the bill on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds as an integrated package, PM Noda stated, “Under the current severe fiscal situation no government administration, whatever its political affiliation, would be able to engage in fiscal management without resort to special government bonds. Regardless of the constraints imposed by the divided Diet, it is the mission of politics to debate policies for the people of this country and come to a fitting conclusion about what needs to be done. The single greatest litmus test concerning whether this can be achieved is the bill on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds.” PM Noda also noted, “My proposal is one that will cut out the canker that is perennial use of the special bonds legislation for political ends. Both ruling and opposition parties need to drop all pretence and must engage in discussion to find a solution to this issue.”
On the subject of the correction of the disparity in the value of votes in different constituencies and the reduction of the number of seats in the House of Representatives, PM Noda stated, “The correction of the disparity in the value of votes, which is currently in a state of unconstitutionality, is an urgent and pressing challenge. I also recognize that the reduction of the number of seats in the House of Representatives is something that is strongly expected by the public as it will require that sacrifices also be made by Diet members. It is my strong wish that the relevant laws can be amended during the extraordinary Diet session. I sincerely hope that we will be able to put aside partisan political interests and reach a conclusion during this session.”
Sengoku also noted that, “The situation facing the Japanese economy is one of unprecedented seriousness.” He pointed out that, “The next mission of the Noda Cabinet, which has successfully achieved the passage of historic legislation relating to comprehensive reform, is now to press forward with a new long-term strategy that will ensure the Japanese economy can survive the next decade in this severe, yet dynamically changing global economy.” In terms of his recognition of the situation, he noted that, “Of particular importance will be the three areas of green innovation; life innovation, including above all medical innovation; and the ‘internalization of external demand,’ focusing on Asia.” In this way Sengoku questioned PM Noda about his resolve concerning in particular the move away from dependence on nuclear energy and the promotion of a green energy revolution, and also about his basic concept for electricity power system reforms.
PM Noda responded, “Towards the realization of a society that is not dependent on nuclear power, we will transform existing energy policy, which has promoted nuclear power to date, and instead promote energy policy based on the ‘Innovative Strategy for Energy and the Environment,’ which seeks to mobilize all policy resources to enable zero operation of nuclear power plants in the 2030s. In order to achieve this policy change, the Government will formulate a ‘Framework for Green Development Policy’ by the end of this year and seek to make bold efforts to expand the green energy revolution from Japan to the wider world. Electricity power system reform will seek to create an open and competitive system for the public, through measures to ensure all users have the freedom to choose their energy supplier, and that the transmission network can be utilized in a neutral and equitable manner across a wide area. In this way we will ensure an inexpensive and stable energy supply.”
Furthermore, Sengoku, who had spoken about the current fact that, “The position of each and every politician and political party is being called into question,” referred to the mission statement of the DPJ, or ‘Our Basic Philosophy,’ which was set forth on April 27, 1998, at the time of the formation of the DPJ. He reminded colleagues that this document calls for the building of a ‘new road of the democratic centre,’ and stated his belief that, “The policies set out in the Prime Minister’s speech are truly a crystallization of the reform-minded spirit of the DPJ as it presses forward with the building of the ‘new road of the democratic centre.’” He exhorted PM Noda to, “maintain a steady course down this democratic centre path, and advance reforms in Japan.”
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