代表質問 与野党協調の国会へ転換せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 16, 2011)
Ruling, opposition parties need to cooperate in Diet
代表質問　与野党協調の国会へ転換せよ（9月15日付・読売社説）

The public is watching the ruling and opposition parties closely, to see whether they can do away with unproductive confrontation and cooperate with each other.
　与野党が不毛な対立を脱し、協力し合えるかどうかが問われている。

Representatives of political parties have begun to ask questions about the policy speech Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda delivered at the Diet.
　野田首相の所信表明演説に対する各党の代表質問が始まった。

Noda has been responding in a detached tone, similar to what he used when delivering his policy speech. Perhaps having learned from the bad example of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Noda did not get riled up at provocative questions. We understand his humble attitude in requesting cooperation from opposition parties.
　首相の答弁は、所信表明演説と同様、淡々とした語り口だった。菅前首相を反面教師としたのだろう。挑発的な質問にムキになることもなかった。低姿勢で野党に協力を求めるのは理解できる。

Concerning the three-party policy agreement between the Democratic Party of Japan, Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki said, "I can't help but have serious doubts whether the agreement will be kept."
　自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）見直しを前提とする民主、自民、公明の３党合意について、「守られるかどうか、大きな危惧を抱かざるを得ない」と指摘した。

A key premise of the agreement was a review of the DPJ's 2009 House of Representatives election manifesto.
Tanigaki made this statement because Noda prioritized intraparty conciliation and appointed people who are reluctant to review the manifesto to key posts in the Cabinet and the DPJ.
　首相が党内融和を優先し、内閣や党人事でマニフェスト見直し慎重派も要職に起用したからだ。

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3-party policy agreement

Noda emphasized again he would implement policies based on the three-party agreement. Concerning a review of the child-rearing allowance system in particular, Noda said, "I hope the three parties will sufficiently discuss the matter to work out a new system by the end of the year."
His remark appears to indicate that he respects the process of cooperation among the three parties.
　首相は「政策は３党合意を踏まえて進めていく」と改めて強調した。特に、子ども手当の見直しについて、「３党で十分に協議し、年末までに制度をまとめてほしい」と述べたのは、民自公の協調路線を重視する意向の表れだ。

However, concerning the resignation of Yoshio Hachiro as economy, trade and industry minister, Noda only said, "It is quite regrettable" and did not talk about his own responsibility in appointing Hachiro.
　だが、鉢呂吉雄前経済産業相の辞任に関して、首相は「誠に残念だ」と述べるにとどめ、自らの任命責任には言及しなかった。

Noda previously said he put "the right people in the right posts," and we regret he did not explain his choices.
首相が言う「適材適所」について説明がなかったことも残念だ。

Tanigaki criticized the ruling parties for the fact that the current extraordinary Diet session will last only four days, saying they were "taking Diet business extremely lightly."
　与党が臨時国会の会期をわずか４日間にしたことについて、谷垣氏は「国会軽視も甚だしい」と批判した。

If Noda attaches importance to "thorough debate and dialogue" with opposition parties, he must acquiesce to all seven opposition parties' request that the Diet session be extended.
首相は野党との「徹底的な議論と対話」を重視するなら、野党７党がそろって求める会期延長に応じるべきではないか。

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Realistic stance from Noda

Noda generally took a realistic stance toward immediate policy issues.
　当面の政策課題に関しては、首相の現実的な姿勢が目立った。

For instance, he denied "a dichotomy between zero nuclear power and promotion" of nuclear power generation, and sought to achieve the best combination of safe, stable energy sources.
　例えば、原子力発電では「脱原発と推進という二項対立」を否定し、「安心できるエネルギーのベストミックス」を目指すとした。

He clearly stated the government will restart operations at nuclear power stations following regular inspections, once their safety has been thoroughly verified and confirmed.
定期検査後の再稼働も言明した。

It is a matter of course for him not to continue Kan's irresponsible "zero nuclear power" initiative.
菅前首相の無責任な「脱原発」路線を継承しないのは当然だ。

On the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade framework, Noda said only, "We will strategically pursue a conclusion of a high-level economic partnership agreement." He must swiftly decide that Japan will participate in negotiations on the TPP.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）については、「高いレベルの経済連携協定の締結を戦略的に追求する」と述べただけだった。ＴＰＰ参加を早急に決断すべきだ。

At this juncture, when the divided Diet has coincided with a national crisis, opposition parties also bear a heavy responsibility.
　ねじれ国会と国難が重なる今、野党が担う責任も重い。

Tanigaki acknowledged recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake as "a responsibility beyond party boundaries" and declared his party would cooperate fully with the administration.
　谷垣氏は大震災の復旧・復興を「党派を超えた責務」と認め、政権への全面的協力を明言した。

In that case, Tanigaki should participate in discussions between the ruling and opposition sides aimed at early passage of a third supplementary budget for this fiscal year to finance full-fledged restoration programs.
　そう言う以上は、本格的な復興のための第３次補正予算案の早期成立に向け、与野党協議に応じるのが筋である。

The LDP is scheduled to shuffle its lineup of major party posts shortly. The party needs to have an appropriate executive lineup to conduct discussions with the DPJ.
　自民党は近く、執行部人事を予定している。与党との協議を進めるため、それにふさわしい体制を整える必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 15, 2011)
（2011年9月15日01時13分 読売新聞）