INTERVIEW: LDP Candidate Hayashi Sees Need for Backup of Tokyo

Tokyo, Sept. 26 (Jiji Press)–There is a strong need for creating a backup capital in Japan that can take over Tokyo’s functions in an emergency, Yoshimasa Hayashi, a candidate in the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election, said in a recent interview. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi is running against four other candidates in the ruling party’s Oct. 4 race to pick the successor to outgoing President Shigeru Ishiba, the prime minister. “There have long been discussions about the importance of having another place that can function as the capital and relocating parliament in the event of a big earthquake occurring directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area,” Hayashi said. “The need to secure redundancy is significant.” The idea has been championed by opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), which is seeking to turn its western Japan stronghold of Osaka into a backup capital. Asked whether the LDP-Komeito pair, a minority force in both chambers of parliament, would expand the ruling bloc if he were elected leader, Hayashi said he would first have to hold meetings with possible coalition partners. “I’m of course not ruling out the possibility of forming a coalition with some party that would enable us to achieve most of what we want to do,” he said. Hayashi said that the LDP’s proposal for cash handouts, included in its pledges for the July election of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber, did not receive broad-based support. “We’re a minority government, so we’ll discuss with the (main opposition) Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which has called for similar benefits, and respond flexibly if we can reach an agreement,” he said. “A panel to discuss a proposed refundable tax credit program is set to be established, so we’ll hold talks on that as well.” “If talks on the refundable tax credit program lead to reducing the consumption tax rate, discussions should be held on what to do with social security,” Hayashi went on. “Many parties have proposed tax cuts as a measure against inflation,” he said. “Even though (consumption tax revenue) is necessary for social security, it’s difficult to mull tax raises now.” On a proposal from the opposition Democratic Party for the People to raise the minimum taxable income level, Hayashi said that the matter should be considered as progress is made on talks with other parties on tax and social security system reforms and refundable tax credits. Asked whether he would raise taxes to cover any possible further hike in defense spending, he said there should be discussions first on what is necessary defense and then on defense spending and funding sources, which must be considered at the same time. Regarding possible pressure from the United States to hike defense expenditures, Hayashi said that working closely with the ally is a prerequisite and that the two sides will reach conclusions through various discussions. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]