Ishiba Dodges Questions from Opposition Leaders

The Diet held a debate by party leaders in a joint meeting of Committees on Fundamental National Policies of both Houses for the first time in current session on April 23rd. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the president of Liberal Democratic Party, expressed his determination to maintain free trade to contribute to happiness of the people in the negotiation with the United States over tariffs. The opposition leaders did not make negative speech against Ishiba, in the time when Japanese people are interested in political solidarity to protect national interest against America-First policy of Donald Trump administration.

 

The debate by party leaders is called Question Time (QT), resembling a system in the parliament of United Kingdom, which was introduced in the Diet in 1999. While the QT was often rejected by former prime ministers, who were reluctant to make discussion with opposition leaders, the committee decided to have at least one QT a month after annual budget passes the Diet at the end of March in every ordinary session. This is a product of minority government, which had to accept the request of the oppositions that hoped more opportunities to show their argument to the public.

 

The head of Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, former prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, questioned how Ishiba was ready for negotiation with Trump administration. Noda criticized the top negotiator of Japan, Ryosei Akazawa, who appeared to the media with red MAGA cap on in the Oval Office, when the world was watching over Japan’s negotiation. “It looked like a tribute diplomacy toward ancient China,” said Noda in the debate. Noda also asked why Akazawa was alone in the White House, while Trump was backed by his secretaries.

 

Ishiba defended Akazawa of his effort in the United States, and said that the posture of Japan team was not insufficient. “It is obvious how Japan has made efforts (for free trade) as relationship between Japan and the U.S. was changing. I will appeal to the U.S. and the world about it with data,” said Ishiba to Noda’s demand to keep international trade rules.

 

Co-leader of Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin-no Kai), Seiji Maehara, displayed his doubt on intention of the United States to defend Japan in a contingency, requesting revision of Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Ishiba answered Maehara’s request with general principle that the treaty needs constant revision.

 

The leader most frustrated with Ishiba’s handlings of policies was Yuichiro Tamaki, from Democratic Party for the People (DPP). Tamaki demanded abolition of temporary tax rate for gasoline to support households. Ishiba insisted on ongoing discussion among the parties and did not indicate when he would reduce gasoline tax rate. Tamaki hoped to gain a policy achievement to appeal to the voters in coming Upper House election in July.

 

It can be said that Ishiba’s strategy of defining Trump’s tariffs as “national crisis” is working, as far as he can avoid strong criticisms from opposition leaders. 

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