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On November 14, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the Diet debate between political party leaders. He urged opposition parties to confirm their support for the enactment of a bill on special measures for the issuance of government bonds by the end of the week, correct the disparity in the value of one vote, and reduce the number of seats by the ordinary Diet session of next year at the latest. Noda indicated that if he received confirmation of their support, he would dissolve the House of Representatives on November 16.
Shinzo Abe, the President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said “We need to seek the public's confidence as soon as possible.” In response to this, Noda cited the negative vestiges of LDP rule and said “When I was appointed as Prime Minister, I was committed to fulfilling my responsibilities until my term of office expired because I knew the negative vestiges left over from the LDP’s time in power were too great to deal with within just 3 years.” He continued, “Deflation has continued to be a problem since the LDP was in power. Since the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) came into power in 2009, the GDP gap has shrunk. We had to deal with numerous issues left over from the LDP such as the large accumulation of debt. We must get the country back into shape and ensure that we maintain fiscal discipline. Furthermore, for the longest time the LDP administration has promoted nuclear power. Now we must change our energy policies dramatically. I believed that it would require a significant length of time to correct these many unresolved problems.”
Noda stated “I was not lying on August 8 at the Diet debate between political party leaders when I said that we will seek the public's confidence ‘soon’.” He also addressed Abe and said “I would like to ask for confirmation of your support to enact a bill on special measures for the issuance of government bonds, correct the disparity in the value of one vote, and reduce the number of seats at the earliest possible stage. Regarding the bill on special measures for the issuance of government bonds, I would like to ask you to do your utmost to enact it this week at the House of Councillors.” Noda went on to say, “No matter what happens, we will realize matters regarding the correction of the disparity in the value of one vote, and the reduction of the number of seats during the current Diet session. If you can promise me this, I will elaborate on the details of what I mean by ‘soon’.”
Noda also remarked, “We must reduce the number of seats. Before raising consumption tax, during the current session we should achieve what we have promised to the people of Japan. We have already submitted the bill and we strongly hope that the LDP will come to a decision. However, in the worst case, if you cannot agree to reduce the number of seats in this Diet session, I would like to ask you to promise the people of Japan that you will achieve this in the next Diet session. Meanwhile, we will reduce the annual salaries of Parliamentarians. As long as we are going to increase the burden on people by raising consumption tax, we must pave the way for a reduction in seats.”
PM Noda reiterated his determination, “Let’s produce results. We will dissolve the House of Representatives on November 16. Let’s do this.” Lastly he said, “The LDP dwells too much on technical discussions and lacks the resolve to get anything done. We will not return the administration to such a party. I am prepared and will do my best.”
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