DPJ seeking reunion with SDP

Japan Press Weekly

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

DPJ seeking reunion with SDP

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan is seeking a reunion with its former coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party. Prime Minister Kan Naoto and SDP President Fukushima Mizuho held talks on December 6, followed by a December 8 meeting of policy research council chairs of the two parties and the People’s New Party, the other ruling coalition force, to discuss the FY 2011 national budget.

DPJ Secretary General Okada Katsuya stated on December 4, “We have confirmed with the SDP many times that the agreement on domestic affairs reached last year by the three parties (DPJ, SDP, and People’s New) is still valid. We are confident in our firm relationship of trust.”

Stressing the need to create a structure for a smooth handling of the government in preparation for the upcoming Diet session starting in January, Prime Minister Kan said on December 6, “We will promote cooperation with the SDP in order to establish closer relations.”

If the DPJ can successfully induct the SDP into its coalition, a ruling force in the House of Representatives will cover 319 members, or more than two-thirds of seats in the chamber. The ruling party is keen to secure a two-third majority in the Lower House because the approval by two-thirds of the House is required for the enactment of a bill if it is voted down in the Upper House.

DPJ Dietmember Matsuno Yorihisa candidly stated on a TV program on December 8 that his party needs to form a parliamentary coalition with the SDP. “We should set up a framework that enables us to exercise a ‘two-third majority’ in the Lower House,” he added.

Meanwhile, some SDP officials maintain their strong hope for reforming a partnership with the ruling party. A policy for party reconstruction that the SDP adopted on September 30 stresses the need to pursue cooperation with the DPJ in the Diet as well as in some election constituencies.

The SDP left the ruling block in May in response to the conclusion of the Japan-U.S. agreement to relocate the U.S. Futenma base to the Henoko district in Nago City, Okinawa. Since then, it has called for the relocation plan to be retracted.

The Kan Cabinet is maintaing its position to keep the bilateral agreement to transfer the base within Okinawa. The two parties’ move for compromise illustrates their attitude of conveniently ignoring policy differences and putting party interests first.

- Akahata, December 10, 2010