Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba demonstrated his commitment to his political views during a recent inter-party debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo but also dodged numerous questions, saying he would continue to discuss certain issues within his Liberal Democratic Party.
The leaders of seven ruling and opposition parties met for the debate on Saturday ahead of the Oct. 27 general election. Opposition party chiefs questioned Ishiba, who is also the president of the LDP, about security and political reform.
“We’ll discuss how we can move forward step by step within the party, and we’ll also continue to discuss this with other parties,” Ishiba said in response to Japan Innovation Party leader Nobuyuki Baba. The latter had pressed the prime minister about whether his long-held determination to revise the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement was weakening. Ishiba also advocated revising the agreement during last month’s LDP presidential election.
Although Ishiba has not changed his intention to revise the pact, he indicated Saturday that he would leave the matter to party discussions for now since it cannot be immediately achieved. During Saturday’s debate, he used a similar argument regarding his idea of creating an Asian version of NATO.
Baba criticized Ishiba’s “change of stance,” saying that “[Ishiba] is greatly deviating from people’s expectations who are looking for him to actively take initiative as a leader.”
The debate lasted over two hours with eight out of ten questions directed at Ishiba by leaders from five opposition parties. However, his responses were highly cautious.
During the LDP presidential campaign, Ishiba mentioned that Japan’s participation in a meeting as an observer for states parties involved in nuclear weapons prohibition was an “option.” However, when Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda pressed him on this issue during Saturday’s debate, Ishida only responded: “[Nuclear] deterrence is functioning. I want to deepen discussions about how we can link this to nuclear abolition in future.”
In addition to CDPJ and other parties like JIP and Japanese Communist Party wanting Japan’s participation as an observer; however; it seems that Ishida made these remarks due to increasing nuclear threats from China, Russia and North Korea while there is common understanding within government circles that U.S.’s nuclear umbrella remains essential.
Regarding money in politics including scandals involving LDP factions’ violation of Political Funds Control Law; ruling party has vowed through its campaign pledges for House Representatives election “to abolish funds provided by parties for lawmakers’ political activities” sometime later.
During Saturday’s debate; Democratic Party for People leader Yuichiro Tamaki urged Prime Minister Shigeru Isihba not use these funds during campaigning lower house elections but Isihba brushed off Tamaki stating: “We won’t use funds illegally or even suspected illegal ways.”
Tamaki sarcastically commented on fact that LDP is expected spend huge amount political funds on election campaign stating: “When racing 100-meter sprint; LDP running 30 meters ahead – We can never catch up.”
During Q&A session with organizers; Isihba was asked if he felt any ethical guilt where prime minister admitted feeling so.
During LDP presidential campaign; prime minister indicated positive stance towards legalizing system allowing married couples choose different surnames however took cautious stance during Saturday’s debate when asked if he will keep saying decades haven’t been enough discussion where Isihba responded: “We’ll reach conclusion – We won’t drag this out forever.”
However prime minister added: “We’re democratic party so if there’s opposition I won’t push past it” showing taking into account cautious views within party.