The regular Diet session, which was extended on Wednesday for 42 days through July 31, appears headed for further turmoil. The arrest of Lower House member Muneo Suzuki on the same day, immediately following a unanimous vote accepting a court request for an arrest warrant, has removed a big thorn in the side of the legislature, but the problem of political ethics continues to fester.
The unanimous Lower House vote is no assurance that the ruling and opposition parties will join forces in the fight against corruption. Nor is it certain that they will cooperate to clear the legislative logjam. The opposition camp, angry at the railroading of a health care bill by the coalition parties, has been refusing to go along.
The ball is now in the court of the ruling parties. To make the most of the extended session, they must first clear obstacles blocking efforts to break the standoff. For example, they should set the record straight on the verbal gaffe by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda hinting that Japan may revise its nonnuclear weapons policy. Furthermore, disciplinary measures taken on Thursday against Defense Agency officials involved in the preparation and circulation of background lists on information requesters fell short of satisfying the opposition parties and the public.