JCP says thoroughgoing budget committee discussion is essential

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP says thoroughgoing budget committee discussion is essential

Japanese Communist Party Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji called on the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties to ensure that the Diet will have enough time to thoroughly discuss the string of issues that affect public well-being as well as the nation’s economy at the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting.

On October 1, in a meeting with his ruling party counterparts in the Diet, Kokuta said, “We should thoroughly discuss the financial crisis and the worsening financial and business conditions as well as what the Japanese economy should be like. This requires a lot of time.”

Three other opposition parties had proposed that two days be allotted to budget committee discussions in each House but could not obtain agreement from the ruling parties.

The JCP is insisting that no time frame be imposed on budget committee discussions in both Houses.

Asked by reporters for a comment on the questioning by LDP and DPJ representatives at the House of Representatives Plenary Session earlier in the day, Kokuta said, “While people are being forced to endure hardships every day, they engaged in a blame game apparently with the upcoming general election on their mind.”

Kokuta criticized Prime Minister Aso Taro and LDP Secretary General Hosoda Hiroyuki for devoting themselves to questioning the DPJ. “Opposition parties cannot answer questions at the rostrum. Their inappropriate behavior must be called into question in light of parliamentary rules,” he said.

Kokuta also said, “The fundamental question now is: ‘What is a Prime Minister’s policy speech supposed to entail and what is interpellation meant to entail? It is essential for parties to have serious discussions and make serious proposals in the public interest.” - Akahata, October 2, 2008