The leaders of nine political parties participated in a debate on Monday covering several pressing issues, and the at-times heated exchanges shed light on their differing policies.
Up for discussion was the response to the coronavirus, economic measures during the pandemic, the distribution of wealth and more at an event hosted by the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.
Prime Minister and ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Fumio Kishida was repeatedly asked about his stance of aiming for a "virtuous cycle of growth and distribution," while each leader emphasized their policies based on campaign pledges made ahead of the Oct. 31 House of Representatives election.
"We will secure enough hospital beds [for COVID-19 patients]," Kishida said at the outset of the session. "Along with that effort, we will prepare a large-scale economic package to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution, and raise people's incomes," Kishida added, outlining issues he is focused on.
Another economic measure discussed was the consumption tax rate. Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii claimed that reducing it to 5% would be the most effective way to help people affected by the pandemic rebuild their lives.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano agreed, saying, "Lowering the consumption tax rate for a set period of time should be a measure used to deal with a once-in-a-century crisis."
The CDPJ, JCP, Reiwa Shinsengumi and Social Democratic Party are cooperating in the campaign as they have adopted a shared platform of lowering the consumption tax. However, that tax was raised in 2012 as a result of a three-party agreement between the LDP, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan, the predecessor of the CDPJ.
Kishida noted that the consumption tax is an important source of funds for the social security system. "Reducing the tax and then raising it again will have negative effects, such as a decline in consumption," he said.
Kishida then asked Edano: "What do you think of people refraining from spending and a decline in consumption?"
"When the temporary tax reduction ends, we will have to ask people to bear a burden," Edano replied. "We'd like to overhaul the entire tax system," he added.
-- Kishida tones down tax talk
Regarding wealth distribution, which both the ruling and opposition parties are advocating, the debate grew fierce over the issue of raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations.
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima mentioned increasing the tax rate for financial income, a policy Kishida had promoted in September's LDP presidential election. She criticized him, saying, "Why did you withdraw the policy despite the fact that you had promoted it?" She added: "Unless we change the current taxation system, it's impossible to make society fairer."
Kishida has toned down his stance on the issue and soured on early implementation of the measure over concerns it could have negative effects, such as dampening investor sentiment. The policy was not included in the LDP's election pledges.
"It's logical to consider the issue in consideration of the vitality of the overall economy," Kishida merely said in the debate.
Edano pointed out that the burden of the corporate tax is greater for small and midsize companies compared to large corporations, calling the situation unfair.
Kishida was careful in his response about raising the corporate tax rate, saying, "We'd like to start with measures that will help raise people's incomes."
The LDP's platform does not stipulate the establishment of a health crisis management agency that oversees the response to the coronavirus despite Kishida calling for such an entity in the LDP presidential election.
Regarding this matter, Kishida said: "I'm not giving up on the plan at all. I'd like to explain the importance of a command function in my own words and give concrete shape to it."
-- Kishida criticizes CDPJ-JCP cooperation
The party leaders also engaged in heated discussions over diplomatic and security issues during the debate.
Kishida questioned Edano about his party's cooperation in the lower house election with the JCP, which has different views and values when it comes to policy.
"The JCP claims that the Self-Defense Forces are unconstitutional. I wonder if the two parties will be able to coordinate in the event of a contingency," Kishida said.
Kishida appears to have been questioning the CDPJ's ability to govern, by emphasizing the difference between the CDPJ, which maintains policies centered on the Japan-U.S. alliance and supports the SDF, and the JCP, which calls for the abolishment of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the SDF.
Kishida also questioned Edano over the CDPJ's assertion that the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Station from Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, to the Henoko district in Nago in the prefecture should be canceled.
"Do you think the Futenma base should remain in a dangerous situation?" Kishida said. The Futenma base is said to pose a danger because it is located in an area densely packed with houses.
According to a LDP source, Kishida asked this question because this issue is thought to be one of the CDJP's weak points.
The administrations led by the Democratic Party of Japan, a precursor of the CDJP, caused the Japan-U.S. relationship to deteriorate, as it called for the relocation of the Futenma base outside Okinawa Prefecture but ended up returning to the option of moving it to Henoko.
The local community was also thrown into confusion as a result. Edano served as chief cabinet secretary and in other posts during that administration.
Edano responded that his party would listen to the opinions of the JCP if it took power, but would deal with emergencies responsibly. He made no direct reference to the danger posed by the air field.
Ichiro Matsui, head of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), said: "The CDPJ and the JCP differ over diplomatic and defense policies. Their electoral cooperation mocks the voters." Nippon Ishin no Kai is distancing itself from the opposition coalition.
The LDP and Komeito's disagreements over defense policies were also highlighted during the debate.
Kishida said that the LDP's campaign pledge to increase defense spending to at least 2% of gross domestic product does not mean that this figure is written in stone.
"The government should not be unable to protect the lives of the people because of prioritizing the budget," he said.
Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi appeared to avoid pursuing the issue, having said before the debate that the ruling coalition could not win the understanding of the public for that pledge.
Kishida also indicated a willingness to acquire the ability to strike enemy bases before a missile attack is initiated against Japan, based on the right of self-defense. However, Komeito remains cautious on the issue.
Asked how he will persuade Komeito, Kishida only said, "Our basic stance is to hold thorough and realistic discussions."
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