With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in attendance, intensive discussions were held at the House of Representatives Budget Committee. The focus of the debate was how to deal with pneumonia caused by a new type of coronavirus.
Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized the government's basic policy, saying, "It is unclear how the government will specifically use its authority and financial resources to prevent the spread of infection."
Abe said, "Each ministry and agency will create measures and implement them promptly, with their eyes on the situation down the road."
The basic policy includes the establishment of a system to provide medical services to seriously ill patients and the smooth supply of masks in preparation for an increase in the number of patients. Ministries and agencies should cooperate to take necessary measures without hesitation.
Edano also questioned three Cabinet ministers, including Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, over their not attending a meeting of the government's task force because of their political activities. "We will focus our energy on tackling this," Abe said. The government must implement measures with a sense of tension.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, said, "[The government] should implement emergency economic measures while looking ahead." Abe responded, "We will deal with it minutely."
Slowing consumer spending and deteriorating corporate earnings are major concerns. The number of Chinese visitors to Japan has dropped sharply, and more and more events have been put off. The government needs to consider expanding financial support for small and midsize companies after assessing the impact.
It is an important time as to whether the spread of infection can be stopped. The ruling and opposition parties should discuss comprehensive measures in detail.
Explain shift on retirement
The opposition parties also raised the issue of extending the retirement age of Hiromu Kurokawa, superintending prosecutor at the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office. Because there are no provisions in the Public Prosecutors Office Law, the government applied the National Public Service Law to extend the date of Kurokawa's retirement to August.
In the past, the government had formulated a view that prosecutors were not eligible for extensions of retirement age. In making the decision this time, the government said it had changed its interpretation of the law, but some documents concerning the change were not dated.
Tamaki called for this personnel arrangement to be withdrawn. After explaining that extending the retirement age was based on the need to carry out work, Abe said, "There is no problem."
The incumbent prosecutor general is expected to be replaced this summer. The extension of the retirement age opened the door for Kurokawa to become the next prosecutor general. Some observers believe the move was influenced by the Prime Minister's Office, because Kurokawa is close to Abe.
The prosecution has a near-monopoly on the right to indict people, and sometimes conducts investigations in political circles. It is ensured of a certain degree of independence, so as not to be unduly influenced by political power.
What was the reason to decide on an unprecedented extension of a prosecutor's retirement age? Through what kind of process and how did the government revise its interpretation of the law? The government must explain fully so as not to give rise to any doubts.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 27, 2020)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
