Japan Press Weekly

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2017 May 17 - 23 [POLITICS]

4 opposition parties submit no-confidence motion against Justice Minister

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, Liberal, and Social Democratic parties on May 17 submitted to the House of Representatives a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Kaneda Katsutoshi.

Concerning the reason for the motion, the four opposition parties in an annex document explained that Diet discussions on the “anti-conspiracy bill” have made it clear that Kaneda is inappropriate for the post.

The Justice Minister has primary responsibility for the bill to criminalize acts of conspiracy. However, Kaneda frequently showed his inability to answer questions about even the basics and essentials of the bill during Lower House Justice Committee meetings. In addition, he often had ministry officials explain on his behalf which is in breach of Lower House rules.

The four parties criticized Kaneda’s attitude as irresponsible. They also argued that although the Abe government insists that the anti-conspiracy bill is necessary for terrorism prevention, this claim was already refuted in the course of Diet discussions.

JCP Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji later on the same day said to the press that Kaneda lacks the qualifications to be the minister. Kokuta criticized the ruling coalition for aiming to pass the controversial bill through the House of Representatives on May 23. He pointed out that a recent opinion poll showed that more than 60% of the respondents see no need to have the bill enacted in the current Diet session. Kokuta stated that the JCP will keep doing its utmost to kill the bill.

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The House of Representatives on May 18 at its plenary session rejected a non-confidence motion against the Justice Minister submitted by the four opposition parties with the majority vote of the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties and the Nippon Ishin no Kai.

Prior to the vote, Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Hatano Kimie used her question time to support the motion.

Hatano criticized Justice Minister Kaneda Katsutoshi by saying that during Diet discussions on the ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill, he failed to fulfill his obligations as a minister of state to give answers as stipulated in Article 63 of the Constitution. She also condemned Kaneda for neglecting to fulfill his duty to be accountable to the general public.

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> Japan-India nuclear deal should not be ratified: expert [April 13, 2017]
> Japan and India sign nuclear power pact [November 12, 2016]