Refusals in Japanese parliamentary deliberations

Abstract

This study focuses on the typical communication case of ‘refusal to answer’ in Japanese parliamentary deliberations, examining the grammatical structure, meaning, and function of refusal discourse and their interlinkages from the microscopic perspective of local grammar. By deconstructing the discourse of Japanese politicians, this study reveals the essence of their linguistic wars. The analysis identifies 6 functional labels within refusal discourse: “Refuser”, “Refused item”, “Refused reason”, “Refused action”, “Hinge”, and “Situation/degree”, and the subsequent analyses identified 16 basic local grammar patterns of refusal, which are categorized into four major types. Among these patterns, those consisting of two to three functional labels, which represent substantive content of refusal, are the most frequently used and are most effective in fulfilling the communicative function of refusal. The more complex and rigorous these patterns are, with functional labels stacked on top of each other and the same construct repeated over and over again, the stronger the refuser's intention to deflect and evade. While these linguistic forms of refusal appear respectful and polite and fulfill the original communicative function of refusal on the surface, they may ultimately become tools of defense or attack. In the end, there is a higher risk of losing the nation's trust.