民自公党首合意 一体改革の再確認を評価する

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 10, 2012)
Parties should be commended for reaffirming integrated reform
民自公党首合意　一体改革の再確認を評価する（8月9日付・読売社説）

A crisis in the country's politics was narrowly averted. We commend the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito for acting sensibly in dealing with the recent political impasse.
　日本政治の危機は瀬戸際で回避された。民主、自民、公明３党の党首が良識をもって対処したことを評価したい。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi agreed during a meeting Wednesday night to ensure the early passage of bills for integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is to raise the consumption tax rate. It is highly significant that the three parties united to realize "politics that do not put things off."
　野田首相と谷垣自民党総裁、山口公明党代表が８日夜会談し、消費税率引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法案の早期成立を期すことで一致した。「先送りしない政治」の実現を目指して３党が結束したことは、大きな意義がある。

Regarding an assurance that the House of Representatives will be dissolved, which the LDP demanded Noda give, it was agreed during the meeting that the prime minister "will seek the people's mandate sometime soon" after the Diet passes the bills. Tanigaki said after the meeting, "'Sometime soon' is a heavy term."
　党首会談では、自民党が首相に要求していた「衆院解散の確約」について、法案成立後、「近いうちに国民に信を問う」ことで落ち着いた。谷垣氏は「『近いうち』とは重い言葉だ」と語った。

It is an ambiguous expression and can be interpreted various ways, but the DPJ and LDP compromised at the last minute.
　玉虫色の表現であり、様々な解釈が可能だろうが、民主、自民両党がぎりぎりで歩み寄った。

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Specific timing difficult

The agreement is reasonable. The right to dissolve the lower house is solely in the hands of the prime minister and it is difficult to present specific timing in advance. Many within the DPJ oppose dissolving the lower house at an early date, so Noda was unable to be more specific regarding timing.
　妥当な合意である。衆院解散は首相の専権事項であり、事前に具体的に明示することは難しい。民主党内では早期解散反対論が大勢で、首相にはこれ以上踏み込めないという事情もあった。

Tanigaki, meanwhile, laid down his arms at the last minute in keeping with the wishes of veteran LDP lawmakers who feel it would be irresponsible politics not to maintain the three-party agreement on the bills. Also, heart-to-heart talks with Noda seem to have encouraged Tanigaki to make the decision.
　谷垣氏は、土壇場で矛を収めた。「３党合意を守れなければ、責任ある政治ではない」とするベテラン議員らの意向があった。首相との腹を割った話し合いも決断を後押ししたようだ。

Both Noda and Tanigaki have, in their respective parties, groups opposing both integrated reform and their reelection as party leader. It is praiseworthy that Noda and Tanigaki affirmed they will carry out reform while their power bases are weakening.
　野田首相、谷垣氏とも、党内に一体改革や党首再選に反対する勢力を抱えている。権力基盤が弱体化している中、改革実現を改めて確認したことは評価できる。

Yamaguchi has called on the LDP to exercise self-restraint, consistently maintaining that motions such as a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet should not be submitted until the bills are enacted.
　山口氏は、「法案が成立するまでは内閣不信任決議案などを出すべきではない」と一貫して主張し、自民党に自制を促した。

Yamaguchi also said the agreement between the three parties on Wednesday "gave due consideration to the possible impact at home and abroad, and proved that [the nation's] politics is functioning." Komeito showed its dignity as a party that was in power for years.
　「内外への影響を配慮し、政治が機能することを示した」と語ったが、長年政権を担った政党としての矜持(きょうじ)を示したと言えよう。

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Motions likely to be defeated

As the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito agreed on the early passage of the integrated reform bills, a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet and a censure motion against Noda submitted by small and midsize parties, including People's Life First and the Japanese Communist Party, are expected to be voted down.
　民自公３党が法案の早期成立で一致したことで、国民の生活が第一や共産党など中小野党が提出した内閣不信任案、首相問責決議案は否決される見通しだ。

Noda expressed his appreciation to the LDP and Komeito, saying the decision by the two parties not to submit no-confidence and censure motions was weighty. The three parties should firmly maintain the unity they have reaffirmed.
　野田首相は、内閣不信任決議案などを提出しないという自公両党の決断は重いと述べ、両党に謝意を表した。再確認した３党の結束を今後も堅持してもらいたい。

The DPJ leadership should engage in serious self-reflection for having caused the recent turmoil. Although Noda vowed to stake his political life on passing the bills during the current Diet session, DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi and other party executives have cast a chill over his efforts.
　民主党執行部は、こうした事態を引き起こしたことを猛省すべきである。首相が今国会での法案成立に政治生命をかけると明言しているのに、輿石幹事長らは水を差してきた。

Noda, though suffering from a low approval rating, is trying to realize the consumption tax hike and seek a mandate from the people. He should be faithful to his beliefs and not be daunted by interference from inside and outside the party.
　野田首相は、低支持率にあえぎながらも、消費増税を実現し、国民に信を問おうとしている。党内外の妨害にひるむことなく、その信念を貫くべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 9, 2012)
（2012年8月9日01時28分 読売新聞）