Editorial
Leaders of DPJ, LDP should clarify points of contention through debate
The leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a debate at the Diet on Wednesday while facing a predicament.
In the debate, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama promised to finalize a plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, after gaining consent from the local government that would host a substitute facility by the end of May.
If both of the two major political parties remain in chaos prior to the House of Councillors election in summer, the public will lose confidence in politics. Both leaders are required to clarify their points of contention by proactively holding debates ahead of the upcoming election.
The second debate between Hatoyama and LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki was held under a cloud over questions about their leadership abilities.
The Hatoyama Cabinet had been sharply divided over a review of postal privatization and the prime minister managed to settle the dispute on the issue by accepting a proposal made by State Minister for Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei, known as a staunch opponent of postal privatization.
Tanigaki was under pressure from within the LDP to go on the offensive. He had come under mounting criticism from within the LDP for lacking firepower in his first debate with Hatoyama in February, raising doubts about whether he can control the party.
However, their discussion on the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma was particularly filled with a sense of tension. Tanigaki pointed out that the government failed to work out a relocation plan by the end of March even though Hatoyama had pledged to do so. The prime minister countered by saying that he has a clear plan in mind, but cannot disclose it at the current stage.
Tanigaki also asked Hatoyama if his administration will reduce the burden of the Futenma base by 2014, when a substitute facility is scheduled to be built in an offshore area of Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, under a plan that had been worked out by the LDP-led previous government. The prime minister pledged to do so.
Furthermore, Tanigaki mentioned Hatoyama's pledge to settle the Futenma issue by the end of May, and asked the prime minister if the government will gain approval of a relocation plan from the United States and the local government that will host a substitute facility by that deadline. The prime minister responded that it is his role to gain approval of the plan from Washington and the local government concerned.
The LDP president urged Hatoyama to either step down or dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election if the government fails to settle the Futenma relocation issue by May.
Hatoyama did not give a clear-cut reply. Nevertheless, Hatoyama has a grave responsibility to honor a pledge he made during the debate to settle the Futenma issue by that time.
The prime minister was on the defensive when he was grilled over the issue of politics and money. He made vague statements over a political funding scandal involving his fund-raising organization, including whether he will disclose relevant documents.
Tanigaki may come under fire from within his party for failing to demand Hatoyama resign immediately. However, a debate between party leaders is aimed at showing differences in policies between the parties to voters through open discussions and searching common ground over some issues in a constructive manner. It is not a tool for a campaign to topple the government.
This time, the LDP leader chose not to raise the issues of postal reform and balancing the debt-ridden state budget. To pursue a substantive debate, however, political party leaders must clarify their parties' policies ahead of the election.
(Mainichi Japan) April 1, 2010