This Week’s “Nagata-cho” (22-29.Oct, 2013)

 Last week on October 21-24, the meetings of Budget Committee in both

chambers of the Diet were held where the lawmakers challenged the

Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the negative impacts of

so-called Abenomics, consumption tax hike, contaminated water leaks at

Fukushima no.1 nuclear power plant, TPP negotiations, etc.

*The state of deliberations in both Houses and committees are

 available from the following websites. (Japanese only)

 House of Representatives　Internet TV：http://www.shugiintv.go.jp/en/index.php

 Live broadcasts and video recordings of the deliberations in the

 House of Councillors：http://www.webtv.sangiin.go.jp/

 While the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan criticized the 5

trillion yen of economic stimulus package as a mere collection of

public works projects, Abe’s confident and straightforward manner

seems to have overwhelmed. Naturally, the opposition camp turned

toward Abe’s comment in Buenos Aires on September 7 that the

contaminated water problem was “under control”. Abe toned down the

rosy assessment and his words were less assuring concerning the

ongoing radioactive water leaks

 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, started sketching special

measures that the national government will play a leading role rather

than leaving the responsibility to Tepco alone. LDP eyes legislation

of such bills to give rights to investigate and monitor the nuclear

power plants to the central government. The legislation will be

proposed in the ongoing Diet session as soon as LDP’s minor coalition

partner New Komeito will accept the idea.

 The lawmakers entered discussions on Abe’s favorite bill to 

establish a Japanese-NSC in the Lower House plenary session on Sep 25.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・