党首討論 激突だけでは議論が深まらぬ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 11, 2011)
Verbal clashes won't induce in-depth debate
党首討論　激突だけでは議論が深まらぬ（2月10日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Naoto Kan and major opposition party leaders--Sadakazu Tanigaki of the Liberal Democratic Party and Natsuo Yamaguchi of New Komeito--held their first question-time debates in the Diet on Wednesday.
　菅首相と、谷垣自民党総裁、山口公明党代表による初めての党首討論が行われた。

The debates centered on integrated tax and social security system reforms, but both sides, apparently with the unified local elections in April in mind, stuck stubbornly to their respective positions throughout.
　社会保障と税の一体改革が中心テーマだったが、双方とも統一地方選を意識し、従来の主張の言い合いに終始した。

If this kind of debate is the norm, in-depth policy discussions will be a pipe dream, no matter how often question time is held. We hope they will make their debates more constructive.
これでは何度やっても政策論議は深まるまい。建設的な論戦になるよう工夫してもらいたい。

Tanigaki said the Democratic Party of Japan had failed to honor its manifesto promises, saying the manifesto was not based on the assumption the consumption tax rate would be raised.
　谷垣氏は、民主党の政権公約が破綻しており、消費税導入も前提にしていないと指摘した。

He then lashed out at Kan by saying that if the government plans to compile a plan for integrated reforms of the tax and social security systems, including the consumption tax, in June, and review the party manifesto in September, the administration is putting the cart before the horse.
６月に消費税を含む一体改革案をまとめた後、９月に公約を見直すというのは手順が逆だと批判した。

Yamaguchi said the DPJ's failure to keep its manifesto promises constituted a violation of its mandate, and he asked if the administration would assume responsibility.
　山口氏も、政権公約の破綻は国民との契約違反だとして、責任をどうとるのかと追及した。

===

DPJ manifesto a failure

It is obvious that the DPJ's manifesto is a failure as it is not based on solid financial sources.
　財源の裏付けを欠く政権公約の破綻は、誰の目にも明らかだ。

Yet Kan stubbornly insisted: "They are policies no previous administration has been able to implement. They are not handout policies."
　だが、首相は「従来の政権が出来なかった政策だ。バラマキではない」と強弁した。

As long as Kan continues to take such an attitude while calling for cooperation from the opposition parties in discussing tax and social security system reforms, the LDP and New Komeito can hardly be expected to join the debate.
こんな姿勢で与野党協議を求めても、自民、公明両党が参加するはずがない。

Kan should first acknowledge the errors in the manifesto and agree to review it promptly and drastically.
　首相は政権公約の誤りを認め、早期かつ大胆に見直すことを言明すべきだ。

In the divided Diet, question time should be an opportunity for party leaders to exchange views without reserve and break the legislative gridlock.
ねじれ国会のもとでの党首討論は、党首同士が虚心坦懐(たんかい)に意見を述べ合い、難局を打開する場でもありたい。

When Kan asked Tanigaki whether his party would cooperate in discussing tax and social security systems together once the government compiles a concrete plan, the LDP leader said, "It's absurd for you to ask us to help you break the promises [the DPJ] made to the people."
On top of refusing to cooperate, Tanigaki demanded that Kan dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election.
　一方、首相は、谷垣氏に対し、社会保障改革の具体案がまとまれば与野党協議に応じるのかとただした。谷垣氏は、「国民との約束違反を手伝えというのは筋違いだ」と反論して、協議を拒み、衆院解散・総選挙を要求した。

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LDP also has responsibility

The LDP leader's hard-line stance is probably based on the prevailing atmosphere in his party that refuses to extend a helping hand to keep the DPJ-led administration alive, when the public approval rating for the ruling party is so low.
　谷垣氏の強硬姿勢は、支持率が低迷する民主党政権の延命に手を貸す必要はないという自民党内の空気を踏まえたものだろう。

However, the LDP also has a responsibility as a party that held the reins of power for so long. Kan was right in replying, "Calling for dissolution of the lower house [for a general election] without discussing these issues is merely an attempt to put your party's interests first."
　だが、自民党には長年、政権を担当してきた政党としての責任がある。首相が「議論もしないで、まず解散では、党利優先だ」と切り返したのはもっともだ。

If the government and the ruling coalition comes up with a practical reform plan that clearly spells out where the necessary fiscal resources will come from, the LDP should join the discussion.
　政府・与党が、財源を明示した改革案を出してくれば、自民党は協議の席につくべきである。

Another focal point in the question-time debate concerned the political fund scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, who was indicted last week.
　党首討論のもう一つの論点は、強制起訴された小沢一郎民主党元代表を巡る政治とカネの問題だった。

Tanigaki and Yamaguchi reiterated their demands that the ruling coalition have Ozawa appear as a sworn witness before the Diet.
谷垣、山口両氏は、小沢氏に対する野党の証人喚問要求に応じるよう決断を迫った。

Kan brushed off these demands by saying, "The issue should be discussed thoroughly in the Diet and then we could have him explain his case at an appropriate venue."
　だが、首相は、「国会の中でしっかり議論して、いずれかの場で説明していただけるよう努力したい」と述べるにとどまった。

To resolve the issue, the prime minister should soon comply with the opposition bloc's request to have Ozawa, who continues to avoid explaining his involvement in the Diet, summoned as a sworn witness.
　首相は、国会での説明を回避し続ける小沢氏の問題に決着をつけるため、早期に証人喚問に応じる必要がある。

As things stand now, Kan has only deepened the impression that the DPJ is a party that cannot make decisions.
このままでは、「何も決められない民主党」という印象を強めるばかりである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 10, 2011)
（2011年2月10日01時10分 読売新聞）