Question-and-answer sessions have started in the Diet as Japan faces such serious problems as economic stagnation, deteriorating state finances and worries about the social welfare system's sustainability. But the mood of Diet is no closer to holding meaningful discussions. Opposition parties, especially the two main opposition parties — the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito — are simply in a confrontational mode.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan is calling on the opposition bloc to join suprapartisan consultations on the unified reform of the social welfare system and the tax system, which would include a consumption tax raise. In his questioning, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki said that dissolution of the Lower House and a snap election should come before starting such consultations.
In reference to the move by the Kan Cabinet and the Democratic Party of Japan to revise its election manifesto because of the general budget deficit, Komeito Secretary General Yoshihisa Inoue said if they change the manifesto, either Mr. Kan should dissolve the Lower House for a snap election or he should resign as prime minister.