JCP Shii analyzes Tokyo governor's election result

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in an assembly of Tokyo's JCP stated that Ishihara Shintaro's victory in the April 13 gubernatorial election reflects a deep crisis of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The 3.08 million votes cast for Ishihara means neither a public mandate for LDP-politics nor approval of Ishihara's cutbacks in welfare services, his glorification of war, and his opposition to the Constitution, noting that Ishihara kept his mouth shut on these issues during the campaign.

In the election campaign, Ishihara tried to present himself as being tough on the central government in an effort to attract as many voters as possible, Shii stressed.

"The reality is that Mr. Ishihara's four years as Tokyo governor showed that his government was nothing less than a Tokyo version of LDP politics. But Mr. Ishihara tactically concentrated his attacks on the central LDP-government. This shows how deep the crisis of the LDP government is. It could be said that the 3.08 million votes were the product of LDP politics in crisis," Shii said.

Shii went on to say that because Ishihara avoided debating with his challengers during the election campaign, most of Ishihara voters cast votes without knowing the truth about Ishihara's governorship. "The voters decision was transitional," he added.

"What is described as Ishihara's landslide should be regarded as voters' mixed criticism of the LDP, so it is not something to be feared. Undoubtedly, we can get increased support for the JCP even from Ishihara voters," Shii said. (end)