Active Discussions in the Diet |
In the Special Committee for Relocation of the Diet
and Other Organizations(referred to as "Special Committee")
of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, numerous
aspects have been actively discussed from various viewpoints with invited witnesses
from various sectors. (For the details of the discussions in either
house, refer to the official record of the proceedings of the Diet issued by
each House.)
| Chairman Ikuo Yana of the Tochigi Prefectural
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry mentioned that the relocation
is the core project for presenting Japan's visions for the 21st century
at home and overseas and will produce technology development and a lot of
employment. Vice-Chairman Hiroshi Suda of the Chubu Economic Federation mentioned that the relocation is necessary as an opportunity for administrative and financial reform. He further listed the following conditions which should be satisfied by the relocation site: (1) Feasibility of access from all over the country; (2) Low cost; (3) Reasonable distance from Tokyo. Advisor Shigeichiro Kanamori of the Kansai Employers' Association mentioned that the relocation is necessary to wipe out the overall social feeling of blockage and that it is also necessary from the aspect of crisis management because various functions are concentrated in Tokyo. Following their presentations, discussions were turned to subjects such as the objectives Japan should pursue, how to formulate national consensus about the relocation, and the significance of the relocation under the present social and economic situations. |
| Governor Fumio Watanabe of Tochigi Prefecture
mentioned that the relocation is very significant for building up a safe
and rich country for the 21st century, especially it is an important and
emergent theme in the viewpoint of enhancing capability to deal with disasters,
and it is important that the relocation site should be at a distance where
close coordination can be maintained with Tokyo. Governor Yoshinobu Ishikawa of Shizuoka Prefecture mentioned that the relocation should be discussed considering the responsibilities Japan should assume in international society in the 21st century. This is necessary because the relocation will not only help remedy the unipolar concentration but also is a national project to decisively influence Japan's future. It is also necessary to study special measures such as land speculation prevention as well as the relocation sites. Governor Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu of Shiga Prefecture mentioned that it is necessary to reform the social and economical system because various structures in Japan have reached their limits. He further noted that Japan has made its history while relocating its capital functions and that the capital function relocation should be promoted defining it as an opportunity to create new values. Following their presentations, subjects such as characteristics desirable for the candidate relocation sites, effects of the relocation on economic renewal and roles played by Japan's capital at home and overseas were discussed. |
| Chairman Kazuhiro Yokoyama of the Ibaraki Block
Council of the Japan Junior Chamber Ltd. mentioned that the relocation project
will have international impacts and that it should be subject to the best
judgment among the future perspectives without influence of local egotism. President Mitsunaga Shamoto of the Nagoya Junior Chamber mentioned that the relocation plays an important role in creating new senses of values and social structures and will effectively stimulate local independence and activation. Chairman Katsumichi Tanahashi of the Kinki District Council of the Japan Junior Chamber, Ltd. mentioned that the relocation should be an opportunity to improve local vitality and develop a society sustainable in the future by realizing small government and accelerating decentralization. Following their presentations, subjects such as the significance of the relocation, national interests related to the relocation and Japan' future were discussed. |
Main Current Trends in the Diet and Government |
<Related to the Diet>
| July 14, 1999 | The Special Committee of the House
of Representatives had an interpellation inviting Chairman Kazuhiro Yokoyama
of the Ibaraki Block Council of the Japan Junior Chamber Ltd., President
Mitsunaga Shamoto of the Nagoya Junior Chamber, and Chairman Katsumichi
Tanahashi of the Kinki District Council of the Japan Junior Chamber Ltd. |
August 4, 1999 |
The Special Committee of the House of Representatives
had an interpellation inviting Chairman Eiichi Sato of the Kanto District
Council of the Japan Junior Chamber Ltd., Managing Executive Director Katsuji
Miyamoto of the Federal Ishikawa Comprehensive Life Development Center,
Representative Director Kumiko Obino of the Interact Japan Ltd. Ms Yuriko
Mudo, a plastic artist and art producer, and Honorary Professor Yorifusa
Ishikawa of the Tokyo Metropolitan University |
<Related to the Government>
July 15, 1999 |
The 18th meeting of the Investigation Subcommittee
of the Council |
July 22, 1999 |
The 20th meeting of the Council |