On April 5, an interpellatory session regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TTP) and related legislation took place in the plenary session of the House of Representatives.  DP Policy Research Chair Shiori Yamao asked questions on behalf of the party.

Prior to beginning her questions, Yamao made the following appeal on behalf of the new party: “The Democratic Party aims to listen to the voice of the people, speak with the voice of the people, and move forward with policies together with the people.”

Yamao stated that the LDP had broken pledges made in the 2012 election manifesto, and urged them to face the electorate honestly, stating: “They should admit that they have not kept the promises made at the time of the general election, and explain the reason for it.”  She went on to express strong disapproval toward the behavior of successive LDP ministers, saying, “Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Amari, who was the prime mover in TPP negotiations, has continued to be absent from the Diet.  Moreover, current Minister Ishihara had publicly stated his opposition to the TPP before his appointment.  Discussions that will receive a public mandate are not possible when we have a flip-flopping Minister making empty speeches with borrowed wisdom.”

Yamao went on to comment on the fact that of the five important items designated as “sacred” in TPP negotiations between Japan and the U.S., 30% had been made duty-free or subject to reduced duties, saying, “It is going too far to make bold statements to the effect that the ‘sacred’ items have been safeguarded and the national interest protected.”  Regarding the influence on the farming, fishing and forestry industries, according to preliminary calculations by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, imports would increase once the TPP came into effect, but despite Japan’s decreasing population, production levels would not change.  Yamao said that these calculations needed to be redone, stating, “The administration is not looking directly at the real situation in the agricultural industry, and is looking to abandon our farmers.”  

Yamao went on, “No records have been kept, the negotiating process cannot be scrutinized, and the government has been forced to remove tariffs on a considerable number of the ‘sacred’ items.  In the automobile industry, where Japan has a strong position, we have had to make large-scale concessions.  To engage in aimlessly debate in the Diet under such circumstances would be dishonorable.  The DP pledges to closely investigate during the debate in this Diet session just how much the Abe administration’s pride and arrogance is damaging the national interest and threatening the day-to-day lives of citizens.