Intensive deliberations in the House of Representatives Budget Committee, relations with the former Unification Church, political funding issues, etc.

Intensive deliberations were held in the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives in the Diet, and there were debates over issues such as the relationship between Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama and the former Unification Church and the political funding party of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, as well as foreign policy and agriculture.

Regarding the issue of abductions by North Korea, Kenji Yamada of the Liberal Democratic Party said, ``Even at this very moment, many Japanese people who continue to be deprived of their freedom are left behind.In light of the fact that they have not been able to return home for many years, we are making efforts to bring back the victims. I would like to see a fundamental review of the policy."

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``Now is the time to boldly change the current situation.We are constantly lobbying through various channels, and we want to do our utmost to bring results.'' We will work resolutely to bring the people back to Japan."

Commenting on the shortage of agricultural workers, Hideho Tsunoda of the New Komeito Party said, ``Securing human resources is extremely important in order to ensure food security amid a declining population.We will demonstrate leadership and accelerate efforts to improve the environment for food security.'' I want you to do that," he said.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We will work to promote digitalization, such as smart agriculture, forestry and fisheries where human resources, including women and young people, can play an active role, and productivity improvements through the use of drones and AI. We would like to accelerate our efforts to make it sustainable."

Regarding the relationship between Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Moriyama, and the former Unification Church, Hajime Watanabe of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan said, ``Minister Moriyama requested a dissolution order and, in his position to represent the interests of the country without fail, supported the other party.'' "If there is a possibility that he may have been harassed, it would be wise to remove him from that position. He should be removed at this point, and a decision should be made quickly."

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``Although we have been pointed out about the past, we have severed all ties from the time of appointment, now, and into the future.The court hearing will be conducted appropriately based on the submitted documents.'' We recognize that this is a serious matter, and we will work together with the government to move forward with the trial."

Minister Moriyama was also asked again whether he had received a letter of recommendation from an organization related to the cult, and answered, ``My current understanding is that I don't remember clearly.'' When a photo was shown to him, he said, ``That may have been the case.'' "But I don't remember it clearly."

Taisuke Ono of the Nippon Ishin no Kai commented on the use of the ``research and public relations stay expenses'' paid to members of the Diet, saying, ``There is no progress in disclosing the receipts, but there are some members who think it would be a big deal if they were made public.'' "The Liberal Democratic Party should investigate whether they are using it as private money."

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``This is an issue that should be addressed based on common rules for all parties, and the Liberal Democratic Party naturally wants to seriously engage in the discussion and contribute to the issue of what should be done in order to restore public trust.'' said.

Regarding the response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Chizuko Takahashi of the Japanese Communist Party said, ``Many hotels and other secondary evacuation centers are canceling their contracts by the end of this month or next month, and this is due to the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in March and the government's Isn't there a ``Hokuriku support discount''?'' I asked.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We are calling for the cooperation of accommodation facilities that participate in the Hokuriku Support Discount so that there will be no hindrance to the second evacuation.We are currently considering implementation in March or April. However, the specific start date will be flexibly handled on a region-by-region basis, taking into consideration the status of secondary evacuation and housing provision."

Regarding the Osaka/Kansai Expo to be held next year, Shinji Nagatomo of the Democratic Party of Japan said, ``This is a great opportunity to promote the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products of each region. "Have you calculated it?" I asked.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``According to the Expo Association, the number of visitors to the Expo is expected to be approximately 28.2 million, and there are currently 63 food and beverage facilities set up through public recruitment, as well as corporate pavilions, etc. However, we are considering opening a store."

Regarding the issue surrounding the political funding party of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, there have been a number of cases in which expenditures have been made unclear due to corrections to income and expenditure reports by relevant members of the Diet, and Prime Minister Kishida said, ``Until the figures are confirmed, they will remain ``unknown.'' It is possible that we will make a correction in this way, and if it is confirmed, we will record that number.''

Regarding the correction of the income and expenditure report of the ``Koike-kai'' = Kishida faction, it was pointed out that ``Although the income of the political funding party has increased, the number of people who paid the price has not changed.'' We will make adjustments once the actual numbers have been determined.Of course, we will make adjustments once the actual numbers have been determined.''

On the other hand, regarding the survey targeted at all party members, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We set yesterday as the deadline, and after organizing and scrutinizing the contents over the weekend, we plan to compile the results early next week. I would like to clarify the results as we fulfill our goals."

Regarding the interviews and questionnaires, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We will conduct interviews and surveys, including the current branch leaders who are former members, and summarize them after sorting them out.Through these efforts, we will strive to fulfill our accountability as a party.''

Furthermore, when asked to explain the internal procedures for policy activity expenses paid to members by political parties, he replied, ``Internal rules and practices are established depending on the content.I would like to explain the internal management methods and procedures.'' I will refrain from doing so.''

In addition, regarding UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), to which several related countries including Japan have suspended funding, ``Many staff members are dedicatedly engaged in humanitarian relief activities, and UNRWA is fulfilling its original role.'' In order to achieve this goal, it is important to ensure that governance is trustworthy."

Regarding China's desire to join the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement), Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We need to determine whether China has the intention and ability to fully meet the high standards and continue to do so after joining.'' There are some aspects of China's trade practices and business environment that are under scrutiny, so we will consult carefully with other member countries and decide how to respond based on Japan's strategic perspective and the understanding of its people. ” he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the issue of high concentrations of organic fluorine compounds (PFAS), which are known to be harmful, being detected near US military bases in Japan, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``It is causing great anxiety in each local area.'' "This is a very big problem. The government will work with all relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that environmental measures inside and outside of U.S. military facility areas are effective."

Regarding strengthening food security, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We will promote the domestic production of items that are highly dependent on foreign countries, transform the agricultural structure, and consider making it possible to keep track of inventory information for important foods other than rice and wheat.'' We will continue to diversify our import sources more than ever to ensure emergency procurement in case of unforeseen circumstances."