Opposition and ruling parties agree to resume Diet discussions

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Opposition and ruling parties agree to resume Diet discussions

Opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, on November 21 reached an agreement with the ruling parties to clear up the confusion in the Diet caused by the ruling parties' vote on a bill to revise the Fundamental Law of Education without the attendance of the opposition parties at the Lower House special committee and its plenary session.

The opposition parties demanded that materials clarifying the issue of "pre-scripted questions" at town meetings be submitted to the Diet, that those responsible for this misconduct be made clear, and that intensive discussions on town meetings and other issues be held at budget committee meetings.

Both sides agreed to conduct supplemental interpellations by the opposition parties as soon as possible at the House of Representatives special committee with the attendance of the prime minister and the education minister.

At a meeting of the Diet policy commission chairs, JCP Kokuta Keiji urged the ruling parties to agree to give careful attention to public opinion, to take enough time to ensure thorough discussions, and not to force the bill through the House of Councilors without the participation of opposition parties.

Liberal Democratic Party Diet Affairs Committee Chair Nikai Toshihiro expressed agreement by saying, "We have to refrain from a forcible passage."
- Akahata, November 22, 2006