Such a response on the part of opposition parties as attaching preconditions for their return to Diet deliberations is extremely questionable. They should realize that by doing so, they are demeaning the authority of a "bastion of free speech" and contributing to public distrust of politics.
It will soon be one week since six opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party, began boycotting the Diet session.
The opposition parties are demanding a total of four items: the resignation of Finance Minister Taro Aso; a summons for Tadao Yanase, former secretary to the prime minister, to appear as a sworn witness before the Diet; an early announcement of the results of an investigation concerning the issue of document alteration at the Finance Ministry; and a probe into an issue regarding daily activity logs written by Self-Defense Force personnel. Unless these demands are realized, they assert, they will not agree to participate in Diet deliberations.
With such a posture as forcing the responsibility for running the Diet onto the ruling parties, they cannot escape criticism such as being labeled "resistance-only opposition parties."
To point out problem areas of diverse policies through verbal debate and to call for improvements. And to attempt to realize Diet member-drafted legislation in areas where the government itself cannot act. The opposition parties today have lost sight of the roles which they are primarily supposed to assume.
Their posture of bargaining from start to finish, with the aim of tarnishing the image of the administration, cannot win the people's understanding. Each and every opposition party must face up to the current state of affairs that even when the Cabinet's approval rating is falling, their own ratings remain sluggish.
With the situation surrounding North Korea changing rapidly, a U.S.-North Korea summit is expected to be held. How should the summit lead to Pyongyang's complete abandonment of its nuclear and missile development programs and to the solution of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, both of which are important for Japan? There are any number of points at issue for which the opposition parties should ask explanations of the government.
Abe also responsible
It is also essential to have a solid discussion on a set of work style reform bills, which center around rectifying long working hours and so forth. The opposition parties should return to participate in Diet discussions as soon as possible.
The opposition parties hold out the possibility of submitting a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, while there are voices within the Liberal Democratic Party -- countering the opposition parties' moves -- referring to the possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives. The situation has taken on an aspect of psychological warfare between the ruling and opposition parties.
Needless to say, the current turmoil stems from a pathetic state of affairs on the part of the government. Cases of slipshod management of official documents have come to light one after another. The Finance Ministry gave repeated makeshift responses and altered its documents. And nothing can excuse the inappropriate remarks to a woman made by a former administrative vice finance minister.
These developments have given everyone the impression that the bureaucratic organization has deteriorated and the Cabinet's function has declined as it has been unable to rectify such a deterioration. As long as the Cabinet is being pressed only to deal with scandals, it will lose momentum, possibly making it ever more difficult for it to implement policies.
With regard to the new establishment of a veterinary department at a university operated by the Kake Educational Institution, a document was found that recorded a meeting three years ago between Yanase and other officials, including those of the Ehime prefectural government. Yanase, who had denied such a meeting took place, needs to face his responsibility to explain.
That the problem concerning the Kake Educational Institution has dragged on this far has much to do with inaccurate understanding of the matter on the parts of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others. They should get the situation under control swiftly.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 26, 2018)
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