JCP call for TV debates gets favorable responses from other parties

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP call for TV debates gets favorable responses from other parties

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on July 27 told reporters that both ruling and opposition parties are responding favorably to his proposal for holding televised debates between party leaders concerning the issues in the upcoming general election.

Shii also said that TBS, one of the major TV networks, had notified the JCP of its plan to broadcast a debate program as soon as all parties publish their election manifestos.

On the previous day, the JCP called on each political party to jointly request NHK and other broadcasters to produce and air debate programs between party heads before and during the campaign period for the House of Representatives election slated for August 30.

On behalf of the JCP Central Committee, JCP Public Relations Head Ueki Toshio and Secretary-General of the JCP Dietmembers' Group Tanahashi Yuichi visited the Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of Japan, the Komei Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party to officially deliver a written proposal to personnel in charge of each party's PR activities.

The LDP and the Komei said they agreed with the JCP proposal, and the DPJ and other parties said that they will consider the matter.

Shii said, "We have received a positive response from each party. We hope that the six parties will jointly request each broadcaster to produce the debate programs, and that each broadcasting station will cooperate in holding such programs in a fair and democratic way."

- Akahata, July 28, 2009