In the Diet, the House of Representatives Budget Committee has begun substantive deliberations on the new fiscal year's budget bill. In response to Constitutional Democratic Party Secretary-General Okada pressing for the implementation of political reforms in response to problems surrounding political funding by factions of the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Kishida has emphasized that he will implement revisions to the Political Funds Control Act in the current Diet session. did.
At the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Prime Minister Kishida and all cabinet ministers attended, and basic questions were asked about the budget bill for the new fiscal year and FY2020.On the 5th, the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Constitutional Democratic Party took the stage to ask questions.
Liberal Democratic Party Mr. Nagashima regarding “Policy Activity Expenses”
▽Liberal Democratic Party's Akihisa Nagashima commented on the ``policy activity expenses'' paid by political parties to members of parliament, saying, ``The public is paying close attention to the transparency of political funds, and there are discussions about whether the use of funds should be made public.'' "This has been done. I would like you to give your opinion."
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``Each party uses different names, but it is used for the political activities of political parties and other parties, and it is closely related to the freedom of political activities. "This should be done based on rules common to all political groups after serious discussions among political groups."
Komei Policy Research Council Chairman Takagi ``Legal amendment to strengthen the ``association system'' is necessary''
▽ Komeito's Political Affairs Research Chairman Takagi said, ``The pillars of preventing recurrence through the revision of the Political Funds Control Act are ensuring the transparency of political funds and strengthening penalties.The people's feeling is that only the accounting officer should take responsibility and that political "Isn't the family responsible? We need to revise the law to strengthen the so-called 'association system,'" he said.
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``For example, when introducing a ``coalition system'' in the form of the Public Offices Election Act, it is necessary to carefully discuss the scope of targeted political groups and the types of violations. This is a common rule that binds all denominations, so I would like to keep these points in mind as we hold discussions."
Ritmin Secretary-General Okada says political reform "We need the determination to see it through in this Diet session."
Regarding political reform, Constitutional Democratic Party Secretary-General Okada said, ``People say, ``I'll become a fireball,'' or ``I'll lead the way,'' but politics is about responsibility for results.If your responsibility is to carry it out, then you must do so in this Diet. You need to have the determination to see it through, and can't you just say, ``If I can't do it, I'll take responsibility?''
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We will carry out an interim report of the LDP with the belief that the Liberal Democratic Party must change.''We have clearly stated that we will hold serious discussions with each party and faction regarding institutional reforms that involve legal revisions. "We will implement legal reforms, including the Political Funds Control Act, during the current Diet session."
《Prime Minister Kishida's main answers》
Regarding the consideration of “Relevant members attending and giving explanations to the National Diet Political Ethics Review Committee”
▽Regarding the Liberal Democratic Party's Diet Measures Committee Chairman Hamada's intention to move forward with discussions in the direction of having relevant members attend and provide explanations to the Diet's Committee on Political Ethics, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``While fulfilling our accountability to the fullest extent possible, "As a party, we would like to have the people involved in the Diet play a central role in deciding what methods to use."
How to use “Policy Activity Expenses”
Regarding the use of ``policy activity funds,'' Prime Minister Kishida said, ``If the usage is widely disclosed, it may infringe on the privacy of individuals involved in our party's activities or trade secrets of companies and organizations, or it may violate the party's activities.'' "Inconveniences may arise if strategic management policies are revealed to other political forces or foreign countries. It is important to protect the privacy and trade secrets of each company and individual."
Regarding the non-statement of income of “Koike-kai”
▽Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida was accused of failing to record the income of the Kishida faction's political funding party in the income and expenditure report of the ``Koike-kai,'' of which he was the chairman, for three years up to 2020. In response to a request to look into the status of the statement, he said, ``We will do our best to confirm it to the extent that we can.We will continue to fulfill our accountability.''
Regarding former Secretary General Nikai's "policy activity expenses"
▽In addition, regarding the "policy activity expenses" provided by the party, Prime Minister Kishida was asked, "Did former Secretary-General Nikai, who received 5 billion yen over five years, use it up every year?" The minister stated, ``I recognize that all expenses are necessary for political activities, such as party expansion, policy planning, and research, and are being used appropriately, without needing confirmation.''
Regarding the message of sympathy from North Korea's General Secretary Kim
▽Meanwhile, regarding the message of sympathy sent by North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong-un in the wake of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We need to take appropriate responses while analyzing the other side's response.'' "There is," he said.
About Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Shin-Osaka
▽In relation to the response to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Prime Minister Kishida said regarding the Hokuriku Shinkansen section between Tsuruga and Shin-Osaka, for which there is no prospect of construction starting, ``I hope that the construction of the Hokuriku Shinkansen will lead to hope for reconstruction, and that the entire line will be opened.'' It is also important to take steps toward this goal.We will deepen our consideration of the various conditions for starting construction and hope to open the entire line as soon as possible."
Regarding the legal developments necessary for the introduction of “active cyber defense”
▽Prime Minister Kishida also commented on the legal framework necessary to introduce "active cyber defense," which takes proactive countermeasures to strengthen security in cyberspace, saying, "It is an urgent issue, but one that must be overcome." There are issues that need to be sorted out.We will accelerate our deliberations so that we can present a bill as soon as possible."
Regarding remarks by Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Aso
Regarding the remark made by Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Aso, who touched on Foreign Minister Kamikawa's appearance, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``The remark has been retracted.After that, I would like to comment on someone's age or appearance regardless of their gender or position, thereby making the other party uncomfortable.'' This should not happen and we should refrain from doing so."