「生きる意志持てば夢は実現」　れいわ舩後氏、参院委で初質問

　筋萎縮性側索硬化症（ＡＬＳ）を患うれいわ新選組の舩後靖彦参院議員が７日、参院文教科学委員会で初めての質疑に臨んだ。言葉を発することが難しいため、秘書が代読する形で自身の障害者としての生活を振り返り、「強く生きようとする意志を持てば、私が国会議員になれたように、自らの夢・目標を実現できる」と訴えた。
　舩後氏は冒頭、チューブをかんでパソコンを操作し、電子音声で「新人議員として精いっぱい取り組む」と決意表明。その後は秘書が代読し、障害の有無にかかわらず子供たちが同じ場所で学ぶ「インクルーシブ教育」について、政府の見解をただした。
　これに対し、萩生田光一文部科学相は「障害のある子どもと、ない子どもが、可能な限り共に教育を受けられるよう、条件整備を行うことが必要だ」と答弁。舩後氏は、消費税増税が教育分野で家庭に負担を与えることも指摘した。（2019/11/07-20:41）

Yasuhiko Funago, a Japanese lawmaker with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on Thursday attended a House of Councillors committee meeting and asked questions for the first time since he was elected to the chamber in July.
   At the beginning of his appearance before the Upper House education committee, Funago, using a speech synthesizer, said, "As a newcomer, I'll do my best."
   The speech was followed by questions made by an aide on behalf of Funago, a member of political party Reiwa Shinsengumi. The questions included whether the government will aim to promote inclusive education in which children with and without disabilities study together.
   Funago, while looking back at his life as a person with a disability, said, "Everyone can realize their dreams and goals, like I was able to become a lawmaker, if they try to live strongly."
   The committee had made preparations to help Funago attend it, including creating space to accommodate a large wheelchair, allowing him to be accompanied by caregivers and permitting the use of a personal computer.