代表質問 経済再生へ建設的論戦深めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 1, 2013)
Parties should hold constructive debate to revive economy
代表質問　経済再生へ建設的論戦深めよ（1月31日付・読売社説）

We urge the ruling and opposition parties to engage in constructive debate on how to rejuvenate the economy, the most urgent task facing Japan.
　現下の最重要課題である日本経済の再生へ、与野党は建設的な論戦を展開してもらいたい。

On Wednesday, party leaders began questioning Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy speech at the Diet. It was the first clash between Abe and Banri Kaieda, the new president of the Democratic Party of Japan, as party leaders in that venue.
　安倍首相の所信表明演説に対する各党代表質問が始まり、首相と民主党の海江田代表が初めて対決した。

Kaieda expressed concern over the 2 percent inflation target set jointly by the government and the Bank of Japan, saying the target could result in a drop in real wages and a rise in long-term interest rates. "We can't ignore the side effects [of the inflation target] on people's daily lives," Kaieda said.
　海江田氏は、政府と日銀による２％の物価目標について、実質賃金の低下や長期金利の上昇など、「国民生活への副作用も無視できない」と懸念を示した。

Kaieda also attacked Abe's stimulus measures. "Old-fashioned economic measures that depend on public works projects are less effective," he said.
　政府の景気対策についても「公共事業に偏重した旧来型経済政策は効果に乏しい」と批判した。

Regarding the possible side effects of his monetary easing policy, Abe rebutted Kaieda, saying, "I'll deal with them through flexible macroeconomic measures."
　首相は、金融緩和の副作用について「機動的なマクロ経済運営などで対応する」と反論した。

Abe defended his stimulus policy by saying that his administration will pay close attention to fiscal discipline. "We'll achieve the two goals of restoring fiscal health and rejuvenating the economy simultaneously," Abe said.
景気対策では、財政規律にも配慮するとして、「財政健全化と経済再生の双方を実現する」と語った。

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Beating deflation top priority

Kaieda has a point. However, it is a fact that the yen's value and stock prices are continuing to improve as the market reacts favorably to Abe's announcement of his "three arrows" approach to the economy--combined policy initiatives of bold monetary easing, flexible fiscal spending and a growth strategy that induces public investment.
　海江田氏の指摘には一理ある。だが、金融・財政政策と成長戦略の「３本の矢」を連動させる安倍政権の方針が好感され、円安・株高が続いているのは事実だ。

Conquering deflation is a long-standing issue for the nation. Measures with a stronger punch than conventional steps are needed to achieve that goal. It is important for the government and the central bank to cooperate more closely to bolster the economy.
　長年の課題であるデフレ脱却を実現するには、従来以上に強力な手段が求められている。政府と日銀がより緊密に連携し、景気にテコ入れすることが重要だ。

Regarding the government's energy policy, Kaieda asked Abe whether his administration will adopt the previous DPJ-led administration's goal of achieving "zero nuclear power by 2030." Abe clarified that his administration will review it.
　エネルギー政策では、海江田氏が「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」を目指す民主党政権の戦略を維持するかどうか質問したのに対し、首相は見直すと明言した。

We believe it is inevitable for the government to review the zero nuclear policy, as there are still no feasible ideas how to secure the alternative power sources necessary for a stable power supply.
　電力の安定供給に必要な代替エネルギー確保の見通しがない中、見直しは当然だ。

The government should draw up a new energy policy aimed at utilizing safe nuclear power plants after sufficient discussion with local governments that host nuclear power plants and countries concerned.
政府は、原発立地自治体や関係国と十分協議し、安全な原発は活用する方向で新戦略を策定する必要がある。

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DPJ shouldn't stick to old tactics

Kaieda also referred to his party's role as an opposition party. While stressing that the DPJ will fulfill the role of checking the government run by the LDP and New Komeito, Kaieda also said, "As an opposition party that has experience holding the reins of government, we'll promote politics that can move important issues forward."
　海江田氏は、民主党の役割について「自公政権のチェック機能を果たす」一方で、「政権運営の経験を持つ野党として『決める政治』を前進させる」とも語った。

We believe Kaieda's philosophy is appropriate. The DPJ has the most seats in the House of Councillors. Under the divided Diet--in which the DPJ and other opposition parties have a majority in the upper house--the DPJ should never forget it shares an important role of moving politics forward.
　妥当な認識だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、参院第１党の民主党は、政治を動かす責任の一翼を担っていることを忘れてはなるまい。

When the DPJ previously sat on the opposition bench, the party gave priority to blocking the ruling parties through tactics such as opposing government personnel appointments that are subject to Diet approval. If the party uses such tactics again, it will be natural for the party to be labeled an opposition party whose identity is to oppose everything.
The public would be unlikely to support such a party, and it would be a step back for the party's reform.
　以前の野党・民主党のように、国会同意人事などで政府を揺さぶることを優先するような「抵抗野党」の国会戦術は国民に評価されず、党の再生にも逆行しよう。

Takeo Hiranuma, head of the Diet members' caucus of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), said his party would decide whether to oppose the LDP-led government on an issue-by-issue basis. Hiranuma even responded favorably to Abe's economic policy, saying, "I feel affinity with the prime minister's stance [on the economy]."
　日本維新の会の平沼赳夫国会議員団代表は、政府・与党に「是々非々」で臨む考えを示した。経済政策などでは「首相の姿勢に共感を覚える」とエールも送った。

The cooperation of opposition parties is essential for the early passage of the fiscal 2013 budget and related bills.
　予算案や関連法案の早期成立には野党の協力が欠かせない。

Abe said he would like to "gather the wisdom of all ruling and opposition parties" to deal with the nation's problems.
To do so, he himself must exercise flexibility by sincerely listening to the assertions of the opposition parties and reflecting them in government measures if necessary.
　安倍首相は「与野党の叡智(えいち)の結集」を呼びかけた以上、野党の主張にも耳を傾け、適切に施策に反映させる柔軟性が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 31, 2013)
（2013年1月31日01時39分  読売新聞）