Editorial
Debate between party leaders lacked zest
The debate between Prime Minister Taro Aso and opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader Yukio Hatoyama lacked enthusiasm, even though it marked a step forward in that it clarified major points of contention ahead of the upcoming general election.
In the debate in the Diet -- the second one since Hatoyama became leader of the DPJ -- they discussed mainly how to secure financial resources for social security programs.
Their arguments over whether enough funds can be secured without raising the 5 percent consumption tax drew certain attention from the public. They should deepen their discussions on the issue as an important theme in the next House of Representatives election to be called by September.
Nevertheless, Hatoyama stopped short of urging Aso to dissolve the chamber even though rumors are growing within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that Aso may step down if the party loses the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. The prime minister mainly attempted to trip up Hatoyama on his wording. Their debate lacked the tension that is often seen shortly before a general election.
It is true that their debate on Wednesday was more substantive than the previous initial debate between Aso and Hatoyama. More interesting than the pros and cons of the reappointment of the president of Japan Post Holdings were their arguments over how to secure financial resources for policy measures, which were triggered by Aso when he asked Hatoyama if the opposition leader intends to avoid talking about a consumption tax hike as a means to secure financial resources. Hatoyama countered by saying that if the DPJ takes the reins of government, it will secure enough financial resources by drastically reviewing spending in each category, such as personnel expenses, and that it will not raise the consumption tax for four years.
Aso's arguments suggested that he wanted to make the consumption tax a major point of contention and demonstrate that the LDP is a political party responsible for securing enough funds for policy measures. If so, the LDP should clearly state when and how much the consumption tax should be raised in its manifesto.
Hatoyama is also required to explain in detail how his party will secure funds for social security programs, including the viability of pension system reform that it has proposed. The prime minister and the opposition leader also discussed the possibility that the government will substantially decrease its funding to organizations under its jurisdiction, which employ numerous retired bureaucrats, from the current 12 trillion yen. They should hold in-depth discussions on the issue ahead of the Lower House election.
The ruling coalition has been shaken up by confusion following the dismissal of former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama over the reappointment of Japan Post Holdings President Yoshifumi Nishikawa and declines in the approval rating for his Cabinet in polls by the Mainichi and other media organizations.
A senior LDP member who is a close ally to Aso has pointed to the possibility that the prime minister may step down even before the Lower House race if the LDP loses the upcoming metropolitan assembly election. Aso promised that "he will never escape" in a policy speech he delivered shortly after he took office. Therefore, the top aide's remark that hinted at the possibility that Aso may be the third consecutive prime minister to dump his administration should be regarded as grave.
Hatoyama also declared that the DPJ will quickly decide on its response to a special measures bill that the government will submit to the Diet following a U.N. resolution on sanctions against North Korea in response to its recent nuclear test. He should have also taken the opportunity to urge the prime minister to dissolve the Lower House after the Diet acts on the bill to ask voters if they support the Aso administration's policy.
The prime minister found fault with the DPJ's policies, but failed to sufficiently demonstrate to voters that the policies of his administration are better than the DPJ's. If he simply criticizes the past remarks made by former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa, he will not gain support from the public. It is hoped that the next debate will be a more serious affair that is appropriate ahead of an election.
(Mainichi Japan) June 18, 2009