民主党法案審査 政策決定過程が未熟すぎる

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 21, 2012)
DPJ's policymaking process far too immature
民主党法案審査　政策決定過程が未熟すぎる（6月20日付・読売社説）

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan idles away its time as its executives try in vain to persuade its members to support certain policies. But its discussions are very difficult to control as everyone seems to have a different opinion. How many times have we seen this happening?
　党執行部は懸命に説得するが、異論が噴出し、収拾できない。時間が無為に過ぎていく――。この不毛な光景を何度、見せられたことか。

The DPJ's internal procedures for approving the drafts of the revised bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems saw many twists and turns up until the last minute, despite agreement between the ruling and the two main opposition parties--the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　社会保障・税一体改革関連法案の民主、自民、公明３党修正合意について、民主党の了承手続きは最後まで難航した。

When the DPJ held a joint meeting of subcommittees of the Policy Research Committee on Wednesday, some members opposed to or cautious over increasing the consumption tax rate argued it would be difficult for them to win an election if the party changed its policy of creating a minimum guaranteed pension system as this was a fundamental part of its manifesto for the 2009 House of Representatives election.
Others said the DPJ has made too many concessions to the LDP on social security issues.
　「最低保障年金制度の創設という政権公約（マニフェスト）の根幹を変えては、選挙に勝てない」「社会保障政策は自民党に譲歩し過ぎだ」。民主党政策調査会の合同会議では、増税反対・慎重派から、こんな意見が相次いだ。

As Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has staked his political life on passage of the comprehensive reform, it is unreasonable for DPJ members to work against the person they chose to be party president. It is no exaggeration to say that they maintained this kind of attitude when the DPJ was an opposition party.
　自ら選んだ野田首相が「政治生命」を懸けている一体改革の足を引っ張ること自体、政党人として筋が通らない。野党体質を引きずっていると言うほかない。

The DPJ should be aware its ability to remain in power is being tested, so it should approve the drafts of the revised bills as soon as possible.
　民主党は、自らの政権維持能力が試されていることを自覚し、早期に修正案を了承すべきだ。

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Unstable process causes confusion

The fundamental problem lies in the DPJ's internal culture in which it holds never-ending discussions and avoids making decisions.
　問題の根源は、議論を延々と続けるだけで、物事を決めようとしない民主党の政治文化にある。

In September, Noda's Cabinet confirmed the DPJ's internal procedures for approving bills-- subcommittees of the Policy Research Committee review them first before they are approved by the committee's executive members. When it comes to important bills, a council of top government officials and DPJ executives give the final stamp of approval following a review by the committee.
　野田政権は昨年９月、「政調部門会議→政調役員会」という法案審査手続きを確認した。重要法案については、政調会の審査に加えて、「政府・民主三役会議」の場で最終決定される。

The DPJ has changed its policymaking process every time it elects a new president. The administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama scrapped the Policy Research Committee, which was then revived by his successor, Naoto Kan. Noda's Cabinet has strengthened the committee's authority.
This means the DPJ has failed to establish a stable policymaking process, causing internal discussions to stray off course.
　だが、政調会が鳩山政権で廃止され、菅政権で復活し、野田政権では権限が強まるなど、代表交代のたびに政策決定制度が変わり、根付かなかったことが、党内論議の迷走に拍車をかけている。

The LDP and Komeito, on the other hand, left discussions on revising bills on the integrated reform up to their respective executives before the three parties started talks. Both parties also have completed internal procedures to approve drafts of the revised bills.
　自民、公明両党は今回、３党協議前に幹部に対応を一任した。合意内容の了承も終えている。

The two parties have built up a mature decision-making process through their years in power, so these steps are a matter of course. Even though opinions differed, they manage to complete their discussions without causing problems.
　長年の与党経験を踏まえ、党内に異論があっても、決定的な対立を招く前に矛を収める「大人の知恵」を身につけているからだ。

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Responsibility as a ruling party

In contrast, the DPJ's discussions on important issues involve all of its Diet members--even first-term lawmakers.
　これに対し、民主党の場合、重要案件については、当選１回議員も含む全員参加の議論で決着させるのが通例である。

DPJ members may feel they are having vigorous and open arguments, but their discussions are poor in substance.
　本人たちは、オープンで活発な議論をしているつもりかも知れないが、その中身は乏しい。

Under the divided Diet, it is odd if DPJ lawmakers believe all of the ruling party's opinions should score points. Instead, the party has a responsibility to move the nation's politics forward by considering arguments from opposition parties. It also should have enough will and capacity to fulfill its responsibility.
　衆参ねじれ国会の下、与党の主張をすべて通すべきだと考える方がおかしい。むしろ、与党には、野党の意見を取り入れ、政治を前に進める責任がある。それを実行する意思と能力も求められる。

Even some of DPJ's prefectural chapters have criticized the group led by former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, which opposes the consumption tax hike even though the party has painstakingly gone through internal procedures on the issue.
　丁寧に党内手続きを踏んで決めた消費税率引き上げに、小沢一郎元代表のグループが公然と反対している姿は、党の地方組織からも批判されている。

The DPJ should be aware that a ruling party has to make concise--and prompt--political decisions.
　政権党には、政策決定の的確さとともに、スピードも要求されていることを自覚すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 20, 2012)
（2012年6月20日01時07分 読売新聞）