内閣不信任案 一体改革を党利党略で弄ぶな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 9, 2012)
Reform bills shouldn't be exploited as political tool
内閣不信任案　一体改革を党利党略で弄ぶな（8月8日付・読売社説）

The integrated reform of the social security and tax systems is a vital issue that will determine this nation's future. We cannot allow ruling or opposition parties to toy with these matters for the sake of their own interests or political maneuvering.
　社会保障と税の一体改革は、日本の将来を左右する重要案件だ。与野党が党利党略で弄ぶことがあってはならない。

Several minor opposition parties, including the People's Life First, the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, have submitted a joint no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to the House of Representatives and a censure motion against Noda to the House of Councillors.
　国民の生活が第一、共産、社民などの中小野党が、衆院に野田内閣不信任決議案を、参院に野田首相問責決議案を、それぞれ共同提出した。

In opposing the proposed increase in the consumption tax rate, these parties argue that a tax hike would be a breach of the Democratic Party of Japan's election manifesto and that the Noda Cabinet can therefore not be trusted.
　消費税率引き上げに反対する立場から、「消費増税は民主党の政権公約違反であり、野田内閣は信任できない」と主張している。

We urge the three parties that have reached an agreement on revised bills for the integrated reform--the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito--to duly vote down the no-confidence and censure motions.
　一体改革関連法案に修正合意した民主、自民、公明の３党は、不信任案と問責決議案を粛々と否決すべきである。

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LDP position problematic

However, the wrench in the works is an LDP reaffirmation of its hard-line plan to submit its own no-confidence motion against the Noda Cabinet and a censure motion against the prime minister, unless Noda promises to dissolve the lower house soon for a snap election. The LDP following through on their pledge could push the three-party agreement to the brink of collapse.
　問題なのは、自民党が、野田首相から衆院解散の確約が得られない限り、内閣不信任案や問責決議案を独自に提出する、という強硬姿勢を再確認したことだ。自民党が提出に踏み切れば、３党合意は崩壊の危機に直面する。

Any no-confidence motion is certain to be voted down in the lower house, but a censure motion could easily pass the upper house. A censure motion, although not legally binding, could lead to a boycott by opposition parties of upper house deliberations on the reform bills, making passage of the bills extremely difficult.
　衆院で不信任案は否決される見通しだが、参院では問責決議案が可決される公算が大きい。法的拘束力はないが、野党が参院審議を拒否すれば、一体改革法案の成立が極めて困難になる。

We consider it to be the pinnacle of stupidity to push the reform plans back to the drawing board, just when they are on the brink of realization. The resulting logjam would also negatively impact other serious issues, such as leaving personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission to be launched in September up in the air.
　実現目前の一体改革を白紙に戻すのは、愚の骨頂である。さらに、９月に発足する予定の原子力規制委員会の人事も宙に浮くなど、多大な悪影響が出るだろう。

Considering the recent political stalemate with the Diet divided between the ruling camp-controlled lower house and an opposition-controlled upper house, the three-party agreement on the reform bills was seen as a major step toward returning to a political climate where decisions can be made. If the agreement collapses and the reform bills fail to pass, public opinion of existing political parties could nose-dive.
　衆参ねじれ国会で政治が停滞する中、一体改革の３党合意は「決められる政治」に立ち返る一歩となるはずだった。合意が崩れ、法案が成立しなければ、既成政党への国民の評価は失墜しよう。

We see the LDP's willingness to seek an early dissolution of the lower house, even if it sacrifices the integrated reform, as incredibly selfish.
　一体改革を犠牲にすることも辞さずに、早期解散を求める自民党の姿勢は、身勝手すぎる。

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Promises must be kept

Some political observers believe LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki is insisting on a lower house dissolution during the current Diet session because without one, he will face a difficult reelection fight in his party's leadership race in September.
　谷垣総裁が今国会での解散に固執していることにも、それが実現できなければ、９月の総裁選で自らの再選が困難になるためではないか、との見方が出ている。

The LDP is completely unjustified in preparing to submit a censure motion against Noda without regard to the party's agreement to hold a vote on the reform bills at a Wednesday session of an upper house special committee, as was proposed by the DPJ.
　自民党が参院特別委員会での８日採決の日程に同意しながら、問責決議案の提出の用意をしているのは、筋が通らない。

The three parties' agreement stipulates that they intend to pass reform legislation during the current Diet session. The DPJ's administration of the Diet has been somewhat problematic. Nevertheless, if the LDP unilaterally goes ahead with its plan, it could render any agreement between political parties invalid and wreck mutual trust between them.
　３党合意は、一体改革法案について「今国会で成立を図る」と明記している。民主党の国会運営に問題があったにせよ、自民党が一方的に反故(ほご)にするなら、政党間の合意や信頼は成り立たない。

Even if the LDP returns to power through a snap election, how could it expect opposition parties to cooperate on raising the consumption tax?
　仮に自民党が政権に復帰した場合、消費増税について野党の協力を一体どう得るつもりなのか。

We applaud Komeito's drawing a line in the sand with the LDP, insisting that passage of reform legislation should be prioritized and not used as a tool in political power struggles. We urge Komeito to stick to its position.
　公明党が「一体改革を政局の道具にすべきでない」として自民党と一線を画し、法案成立を優先しているのは、妥当な姿勢だ。今の方針を堅持してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 8, 2012)
（2012年8月8日01時41分 読売新聞）