Political parties are given different amounts of time to question the prime minister depending on the number of seats they hold in parliament.

The emerging opposition party Sanseito took part in a party leaders’ debate for the first time with an allotted time of 3 minutes.

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / We proposed an anti-spy law because we think it’s necessary. What is your vision for such a law?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / The need to create legislation related to preventing espionage was included in the Liberal Democratic Party’s upper house campaign pledges.

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / My second question is on the “lost 30 years.” What do you think is its fundamental cause?

He hurried through his question and managed to get a response before his time ran out.

S/ Moderator / That concludes Kamiya Sohei’s remarks.

The Constitutional Democratic Party had the largest allotted time of 28 minutes.

The main opposition party spent more than half the time asking about the deteriorating relationship between Japan and China.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / I was asked for specific examples, so I answered sincerely within that scope.

This was the first party leaders’ debate in parliament for Takaichi.

S/ Noda Yoshihiko, CDP leader / Prime Minister, thank you for being here today. I never imagined we would meet like this in a party leaders’ debate, but it may be fate. First, I am deeply concerned about the Japan-China relationship. Was (your remark) arbitrary? I would like to first hear your response on how you feel about your responsibility.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Japan has always been constructive and open in terms of dialogue with China. Through dialogue, we aim to build a more comprehensive and positive relationship and maximize national interests. That is what I see as my responsibility.

On November 7, Takaichi told a parliamentary budget committee that a Taiwan contingency involving China’s attack could create a survival-threatening situation for Japan which would allow it to exercise collective self-defense.

Her remarks have caused a sharp deterioration in Japan-China relations.

S/ Noda Yoshihiko, CDP leader / I am asking how you feel about your responsibility for this situation arising from your remarks. Please clarify the true intent behind your remarks.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / I did not intend to go into specifics, but simply repeating the same response could have caused the budget committee proceedings to be halted. Lawmakers represent the entire nation. I was asked for specific examples, so I answered sincerely within that scope.

S/ Noda Yoshihiko, CDP leader / Please make sure you do not cross the line. It felt like you were about to cross it, which worries me. I request once again that you provide layered explanations at various levels.

Komeito leader Saito Tetsuo asked the prime minister about Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not allowing the entry of nuclear weapons.

Takaichi had earlier suggested that the part of not allowing entry should be reconsidered, saying it contradicts the concept of extended deterrence through US nuclear weapons.

S/ Saito Tetsuo, Komeito leader / If Japan, the only country to have suffered wartime atomic bombing, wavers and revisits the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, nuclear abolition would become a distant dream. I urge you to reconsider your idea. What do you think?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / First, we maintain the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a policy guideline. I have not explicitly instructed a review of these principles.

S/ Saito Tetsuo, Komeito leader / If there is to be any review, it should be thoroughly deliberated in the Diet and go through parliamentary approval. What is your view?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / As the only country to have suffered atomic bombing, Japan has greatly contributed to international peace and stability. This is widely recognized by many countries. We will proceed with comprehensive deliberation and draft the next version of the three security strategy documents with utmost care.