Dispute over National Interest

The dispute between the both sides of aisle in the House of Councillors reflected the stupidity of Japanese politics. The Chairwoman of the Committee of Environment, Yoriko Kawaguchi, was discharged from her chairwomanship due to her absence at the session on April 25^th. On that day, she was in Beijing to meet with some Chinese officials, extending her itinerary without permission from the House. The argument was: Which was more important in terms of national interest, meeting with foreign officials or abiding by the rule of the House?

The House has a rule that every lawmaker has to be approved by the House for foreign trip during a session. Kawaguchi was approved to visit China on April 23^rd and 24^th, but she was informed that State Councillor, Yang Jiechi, might meet her on 24^th. Although she tried to extend her visit, the House did not approve. Then, she ignored the rule and stayed in Beijing one extra day.

The opposite parties became furious about the chairwoman’s absence, and immediately embarked on the process of discharging her. The leading party, LDP, rejecting her voluntary resignation, accused the opposites of ignoring national interest. LDP leaders insisted that the meeting with Chinese officials had enhanced the national interest of Japan. What was the national interest, anyway?

Answering an interview of Sankei Shimbun, Kawaguchi told that Yang made some points in overall Chinese diplomacy and peace issues in the meeting. She also met with some governmental officials and leaders of a think tank. Considering the revealed facts, the national interest she represented was too small to break the rule of the House. Once it was approved, every lawmaker can break the rule of the House in the name of “national interest.” LDP’s reasoning for protecting her was obviously excessive.

On the other hand, the opposite side was too rigorous to take advantage of few chances to give the leading parties one shot. They could allow her request of rescheduling or making punishment lighter. The discharging of a chairman/woman of a committee, for the first time in the Diet history, was actually excessive.

Chinese officials may be deriding this silly dispute in Japan. They can reject further guests from the Diet, because of the unclearness of the status. “Ok, we are happy to meet you, but won’t you be discharged after you will go back home?” they may say.

Diplomatic section of Japanese government is also guilty not to have effective diplomacy with China to the extent of having to rely on those novice politicians. However, the politics extremely selfish in protecting self-interest or interest of certain group is obviously against national interest in any way.