|
On January 28, DPJ President Banri Kaieda participated in the question and answer session following the Prime Minister's policy speech in the House of Representatives. He asked a total of 47 questions covering such issues as
(1) the three risks posed by the Abe administration, (2) the special secrets protection law, (3) comments made by the new NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Chairman, (4) diplomacy, (5) TPP, (6) defence, (7) the relocation of Futenma airstation, (8) the Constitution, (9) reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the revitalization of Fukushima and phasing out nuclear power, (10) wages increases, (11) employment, (12) enhancing social security, (13) increases in the social security burden of individuals and cuts in benefits, (14) measures to assist those on low incomes, (15) consumption tax and fiscal reconstruction, (16) the reduction of the number of Diet members, and (17) administrative reform.
Kaieda pointed out, "I feel that the recent course taken by the Prime Minister is dismissive of constitutionalism and pacifism, and neglects inequalities and poverty. It is not a well-ordered process, but out of control, like a runaway horse." Kaieda said that the late Nelson Mandela, former South African President, who had been mentioned by the Prime Minister in his policy speech, had aimed to eliminate discrimination, and eradicate inequalities and poverty, based on a philosophy of pacifism, but the aims of Abe himself were quite different to this. He emphasized that there were three risks involved in the path being taken by the Prime Minister.
Kaieda said that the first of these risks was "the economy". He stressed, "At first glance the economic policies of the Abe administration appear to be proceeding well, but in fact they consist of monetary easing and encouraging a weak yen, providing preferential treatment to large corporations and mobilization of public finances to bring about a huge upsurge in public works projects." Kaieda criticized Abe for not referring to the issue of income disparities in his policy speech, despite the World Economic Forum report 'Global Risks 2014' characterizing the worsening of income disparities as "one of the most worrying" risks facing the world in 2014. He stressed that growing income disparities, and breaking free from entrenched inequalities and poverty was the biggest problem facing Japan as well.
Kaieda stated that "diplomacy" was the second risk. He pointed out that Abe's comments at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, comparing the current relationship between Japan and China to the relationship between the United Kingdom and Germany prior to the First World War, had caused a commotion, and said that the Prime Minister should admit that this comparison was inappropriate. But Abe simply responded with farfetched excuses such as "If you ask the Japanese media who were present at the meeting you would realize that there was no problem with my comments at all."
Kaieda described the third risk as "the state of the nation". He referred to the Prime Minister's calls for "the dismantling of the post-war regime" and stated, "I don't want to think of it as such, but I cannot dispel the apprehension that this signifies a return to the closed and highly regulated pre-war society."
Kaieda said that "This danger was clearly shown during the formulation of the special secrets protection legislation. On the morning after the special secrets protection law had been forced through the Diet, the Prime Minister said, 'I feel as if a storm had passed.'" Kaieda expressed reservations regarding this remark, and went on to say, "The Democratic Party of Japan believes that the only way to restore the damage caused to public trust is to pass revisions of legislation relating to information disclosure and control of official documents during the current Diet session, thereby carrying out comprehensive legislative revisions in order to protect the public's right to know and the freedom of speech." He called for the Prime Minister to support these moves, but Abe replied that he would like to honour the debate that had taken place during the process of passing the legislation, and to proceed with preparations for implementing it, along with continued careful explanation to the public regarding the legislation.
Kaieda also touched on comments made by NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii in his inaugural press conference, in which Momii described the comfort woman system used by the Imperial Japanese army as "something that happened in any nation". Kaieda expressed the opinion that "These offensive remarks suggest that [Momii] has been taken over by Prime Minister Abe's refusal to wholeheartedly affirm the Kono Statement." Although Momii had not been appointed by the Prime Minister, Kaieda asked for Abe's opinion on this matter, as a significant issue relating to the way in which public broadcasting should be undertaken. Abe responded, "The government should not comment on particular remarks made by the head of a broadcasting organization. I would like everyone at NHK, starting with the Chairman, to engage in fair and impartial broadcasting without succumbing to any kind of political pressure."
With regard to foreign policy issues, Kaieda referred to the stance taken by the Prime Minister towards China and the Republic of Korea, saying, "The Prime Minister says that 'The door is always open', but in fact he is keeping the door firmly closed." He called on Abe to set forth exactly what actions and specific measures he was considering to ease tensions with China and the ROK and when these would be carried out. Furthermore, Kaieda said, "Mr Prime Minister, you are stressing a foreign policy that 'looks at the whole globe', but there is a blacked out portion on your globe, and moreover one which is right next door to Japan. I find this extremely regrettable."
Regarding Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, Kaieda asked, "Do you really think this was the right action from the perspective of our national interest? Will it give the Japanese people peace of mind? Do people in other nations approve of this action?" Kaieda also blasted Abe's saying "I will fulfil my responsibilities even if I am criticized," in defence of his actions, stating that if the Prime Minister was stressing responsibility he should clarify his position to the Diet, stating whether he would "visit" or "not visit" Yasukuni during his term of office.
With regard to the TPP negotiations, Kaieda expressed concern over the fact that information had still not been disclosed to the Japanese public concerning these. He called on Abe, in his capacity as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, to reaffirm the pledges made in the LDP election platform, stating: "Will you fulfil the pledges made in the LDP election platform, the pledges made by you as Prime Minister to the Japanese people? Does the position taken by the government and ruling parties regarding insurance and automobiles, the five significant agricultural product sectors, universal insurance coverage and food safety remain unchanged?"
Kaieda then questioned the Prime Minister's stance on constitutional revision, something Abe describes on his own website as "indispensable".
Kaieda pointed out, "On the other hand, you are attempting to get exercise of the collective right to self-defence accepted by promoting changing the interpretation of the Constitution rather than constitutional revision." With regard to exercising the collective right to self-defence, Abe stated, "Under the premise that it is necessary to reconstruct the legislative basis for our national security, a study group for the reconstruction of the legislative basis for national security is currently considering such matters and I would like to wait for their conclusions." The Prime Minister also said that he "would like to deepen the discussions in the study group.
With regard to employment, Kaieda expressed the opinion that "The true path to economic growth lies in expanding consumption through stabilizing employment." He criticized the administration policy, stating: "However, the Abe administration is only intent upon measures that made it easier to fire people, such as the system for terminating employment with financial payment, systemizing 'limited' regular employees, and special zones where conditions for terminating employees can be made easier." He called for the Abe administration to revise such policies, stressing, "Are you prepared to undertake such measures to worsen the system in spite of the opposition from workers."
Finally, Kaieda stated, "In his speech the Prime Minister referred to 'a responsible opposition". Are you trying to say that an opposition party that agrees with everything that the Prime Minister wants to do is a good opposition party, while one that opposes and strongly criticizes what the Prime Minister wants to do is a bad opposition party?" He went on to say: "I believe that a 'responsible opposition party' is one that demonstrates strong opposition to mistaken government politics and policies that neglect the people, continues to regularly submit counterproposals to the public, and aims to achieve a change of government through elections. A 'responsible opposition party' should confront the Abe administration head on, and engage in unwavering pursuit of a way of governance that protects people's lives, protects employment and protects livelihoods. That is what the DPJ aims to do. We vow to fight determinedly again any movements that pose a threat to peace and democracy."
|
