He actually did it!

Despite all the speculation to the contrary, it looks like Japan will finally get the election the opposition has been looking for. Hard to say from my perspective if things will really change. I’m guessing it’ll be just the two main parties swapping places, but who knows, maybe the “third pole” will actually manage to garner enough seats to be part of the political conversations. But enough of that, what do a couple of people have to say about the dissolution announcement? Let’s read and find out. I’m not 100% confident in my translation on this one. The people quoted talk in circles and vagueness so I tried to translate their overall points rather than word for word.

野田首相「16日解散」表明 政府、与野党からさ まざまな反応

野田首相は14日に行われた国会の党首討論で、自 民党などが議員定数削減の実現を確約することを条 件に、16日に衆議院を解散する方針を表明した。 政府、与野党はさまざまに反応している。 民 主党の輿石幹事長は、「踏み切っても、いいと か悪いとかじゃなくて、これは、総理の唯一最大の 権限ですから。それは、そういうことになったら、 そういう態 勢を早くつくるということしかな い」、「(首相の発言は解散が16日にあるというこ と?)そういうことでしょう。16日に解散をしたいと 言ったんだから、 それを撤回することはないで しょう」と述べた。 自民党の石破幹事長は「わが党として、総理の姿勢 を誠実に受け止め、協力するという方針を決定しま した。その手法などについては、今後、話し合うこ とになると思いますが、きょうの総理の提案をわれ われとして誠実に受け止め協力するということに、 合意を いたしました」と述べた。 前原国家戦略担当相は「総理がおっしゃったのは、 特例公債の成立と、それから0増5減、定数削減、 何らかの取りまとめを 16日までにするということ ですから。その前提で、16日の解散とおっしゃっ たことは、やはり、野党には重く受け止めてもらい たい。条件なしの16日解散 ではないということ は、重く受け止めてもらいたいと、わたしはそう思 います」と述べた。

http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00235402.html

Prime Minister Noda announces dissolution on the 16 th -- Reactions from various parties

At Prime Minister’s questions conducted at the Parliament on the 14 th , Prime Minister Noda announced a plan to dissolve the Lower House on the 16 th , contingent the Liberal Democratic Party and others making a firm promise to enact a reduction in the number of parliamentary members. There were various reactions from the government, and all parties.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)’s chief secretary Koshiishi said, “Even though it’s a bold start, it’s not that it’s good or bad but only that this is the prime minister’s unique and ultimate privilege. As it’s come to this, we have only to get ready as quickly as possible.” “If the Prime Minister said he wants to dissolve on the 16 th , there’s no point in resisting it.”

The LDP’s chief secretary Ishiba said, “Our party has sincerely received the Prime Minister’s position and agreed to cooperate. The exact method will be agreed upon hereafter, I believe. I full agree with the Prime Minister’s proposal today and our cooperating with it.”

State Policy minister Maehara said “What the Prime Minister said, the extraordinary sovereign debt issue, the reduction of the number of Lower House seats by 5, are things that must be done by the 16 th . With that as prerequisite, I would expect the opposition parties would thoughtfully receive what the Prime Minister has said about dissolution on the 16 th . I believe that they will understand that dissolution on the 16 th will not happen without these requirements.”