Time to debate, Mr. Ozawa
(From The Japan Times April 25 issue)

民主党･小沢代表に党首討論求む

The Liberal Democratic Party has repeatedly asked Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, to participate in a one-on-one Diet debate with Prime Minister Taro Aso. But the DPJ has refused. If this situation continues, Mr. Ozawa and the DPJ will create the impression that they have chosen to remain silent about the arrest and indictment of Mr. Ozawa's chief secretary over alleged irregularities concerning donations from political groups established by Nishimatsu Construction Co.

The LDP first proposed that a debate between the two party leaders be held April 8. When the DPJ refused, the LDP proposed two more potential debate dates — April 15 and April 22 — but each time the DPJ refused, citing an earlier agreement that a debate would not be held during a week when the prime minister appears in a plenary session of either Diet chamber or a session of either chamber's budget committee. This agreement, however, is solely intended to lighten the prime minister's workload and therefore is a poor excuse.

The real reason why the DPJ is declining to debate is apparently because it believes that the arrest and indictment of Mr. Ozawa's chief secretary has put him in a weaker position. It is odd that the DPJ doesn't seem to realize that Mr. Ozawa's refusal to debate only serves to further weaken him. It is also worth recalling that Mr. Ozawa played an important role in institutionalizing such debates in 2000, when he was head of the Liberal Party. Mr. Aso and Mr. Ozawa have had just one Diet debate, on Nov. 28. At that time, Mr. Ozawa was on the offensive, accusing Mr. Aso of postponing the dissolution of the Lower House. As a Lower House election nears, it is all the more important for the LDP and DPJ leaders to hold debates in the Diet on pressing issues, such as the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget.

It is unreasonable for Mr. Ozawa to continue his stumping tours yet refuse to debate Mr. Aso. He should go before the Diet and give a thorough explanation of the political donations he received, and if he does not agree with his aide's indictment, provide detailed criticism in support of his position. Remaining silent could raise suspicion that Mr. Ozawa may have played a role in the scandal involving his secretary.

自民党は民主党の小沢代表に麻生総理との党首討論を再三要求しているが、民主党は応じない。このままでは、民主党は小沢代表の公設秘書逮捕が起訴された西松建設の違法献金事件について説明しないつもりだとみなされてしまう。

与党の党首討論開催申し入れを民主党は3回断った。首相が衆参本会議や委員会に出席した週は党首討論を開かないというルールに従ったと民主党は言うが、苦しい言い訳だ。

民主党は討論での劣勢を恐れているようだが、拒否を続ければ小沢代表の傷は深まる。衆院選を控えた今、両党首は本年度補正予算などの問題を論じるべきだ。小沢代表は西松事件の説明責任を果たさなければ、代表の事件関与の疑いが強まるだけだ。