LDP spin-off groups represent old LDP political world

Japan Press Weekly

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

LDP spin-off groups represent old LDP political world

Moves within the ex-ruling Liberal Democratic Party for some influential members to leave the party to establish a new party are taking place one after another, first by former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Hatoyama Kunio followed by former Finance Minister Yosano Kaoru.

In spite of their enthusiasm for establishing a new party, the key names in these moves represent the old LDP political world.

Yosano who submitted his letter of resignation from the party on April 3, Hatoyma Kunio who left in March, and ex-Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe Yoichi who remains but is suggesting that he may establish a new party, were all cabinet members under Prime Minister Aso Taro.

Sonoda Hiroyuki, House of Representatives member who is expected to follow Yosano, is ex-secretary general of the LDP. Hiranuma Takeo (unaffiliated) served as the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister under Prime Ministers Mori Yoshiro and Koizumi Jun’ichiro. Fujii Takao, House of Representatives member and former Transport Minister, may also leave the LDP soon.

All of them are responsible for playing major roles in the undemocratic administrations of past LDP governments.

What policies do they hold? Hiranuma, a key member of the Yasukuni group praising Japan’s war of aggression, is an advocate of adversely revising the existing Japanese Constitution. Yosano is an advocate of increasing the consumption tax rate, and he recently said in a magazine, “The most important task is to raise the consumption tax rate to at least 10 percent” (Bungei Shunju, April issue).

According to Yosano, LDP President Tanigaki Sadakazu said on April 3 about Yosano’s leaving, “The LDP is regrettable as we don’t have much difference in our way of thinking.” Sonoda said, “Even if a new party is established, it is still necessary for the LDP to become stronger as the LDP is the major contender with the Democratic Party of Japan. Any new party must not weaken the LDP” (Mainichi, March 17).

In short, these politicians of the old LDP world are just attempting to fool the public. Their ploy, however, will not work.

The Your Party is represented by Watanabe Yoshimi, who served as minister in charge of administrative reform in the Abe and Fukuda Cabinets and helped bring about increased poverty and social gaps by promoting the “structural reform” policy.

LDP politicians who are not self-critical of their involvement in past governments may walk around with new party names, but their thinking is no different from failed LDP politics.

These moves to form spin-off groups, only to act in concert with the LDP, show that the LDP is facing a legitimation crisis.

- Akahata, April 5, 2010