PM Hatoyama unable to have clear answer to key issues: Shii

Japan Press Weekly

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

PM Hatoyama unable to have clear answer to key issues: Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on October 29, commenting on Prime Minister Hatoyama’s response to his questions in the House of Representatives plenary session, said, “PM Hatoyama didn’t give a clear answer as to how to address the nation’s key issues.”

“I straightforwardly showed him the direction the government should take in response to people’s expectations,” said Shii.

Concerning the move of large corporations to resume the use of a disposable workforce, Hatoyama promised Shii that the government will give “guidance to large corporations to comply with work-related laws in order to prevent employment abuses.” In regard to the revision of the Worker Dispatch Law, Hatoyama expressed an intention to “submit a bill to the ordinary Diet” which will be convened next January.

Shii said these are “forward-looking answers” from Hatoyama, but added, “However, Hatoyama was unable to show a positive response to other key issues I brought up in the interpellation.”

DPJ shouldn’t have abstained from its Diet interpellation: Shii

The Democratic Party of Japan abstained from using its allotted interpellation time in the House of Representatives plenary session. It also intends to not take the floor at the upcoming Lower House budget committee meeting.

Asked by reporters for a comment, Shii said, “That wasn’t a proper attitude for a ruling party to take.”

“The Diet is the only law-making organ. Plus, it has investigative powers in national politics and regulatory powers in administration. No matter if it belongs to a ruling force or an opposition force, any political party must fulfill its important mission to watch over administrative authorities,” said Shii.

“Once elected, all Dietmembers, irrespective of their political affiliation, have the responsibility as representatives of the people to question the administration of matters of concern,” he added.

- Akahata, October 30, 2009