January 23, 2012
The Liberal Democratic Party held its annual convention in Tokyo on January 22 and vowed to “regain power”. The party, however, failed to show itself to be any different from its rival Democratic Party of Japan in regard to pending issues of a consumption tax hike, the resumption of operations of off-line nuclear reactors, and the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa.
The LDP claims that it will not break public promises as did the DPJ, but it appears to be working hand in hand with the DPJ for an increase in the consumption tax.
The LDP also decided to draft a new constitution and submit it to the Diet by April 28.
The LDP in its newly adopted policies calls for the need to consider resuming the operations of nuclear reactors currently under suspension with no self-reflection on its role in having promoted the “safety myth” of nuclear power generation.
The LDP’s new policies do not mention anything about the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base from Okinawa’s Ginowan City to Nago City. LDP President Tanigaki Sadakazu just praised the party as a promoter of the construction of a U.S. base in Nago City by saying, “The DPJ destroyed the trust of Okinawans that we had built up over the years.”
The LDP policies call for the system of overseas deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to be strengthened, and a permanent law to be established so that Japan can exercise the right to collective self-defense.
The LDP has not taken a position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement amid growing opposition from farmers’ cooperatives and medical associations which used to be the backbone of the LDP’s support base.
Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) Yonekura Hiromasa spoke as a guest at the party convention. When he requested that the LDP pursue full participation in the TPP, boos and jeers arose from the floor.
Leader of the LDP’s previous coalition partner of the Komei Party, Yamaguchi Natsuo, who was another guest speaker, said, “We will join forces with you” for an early snap election.
The LDP claims that it will not break public promises as did the DPJ, but it appears to be working hand in hand with the DPJ for an increase in the consumption tax.
The LDP also decided to draft a new constitution and submit it to the Diet by April 28.
The LDP in its newly adopted policies calls for the need to consider resuming the operations of nuclear reactors currently under suspension with no self-reflection on its role in having promoted the “safety myth” of nuclear power generation.
The LDP’s new policies do not mention anything about the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base from Okinawa’s Ginowan City to Nago City. LDP President Tanigaki Sadakazu just praised the party as a promoter of the construction of a U.S. base in Nago City by saying, “The DPJ destroyed the trust of Okinawans that we had built up over the years.”
The LDP policies call for the system of overseas deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to be strengthened, and a permanent law to be established so that Japan can exercise the right to collective self-defense.
The LDP has not taken a position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement amid growing opposition from farmers’ cooperatives and medical associations which used to be the backbone of the LDP’s support base.
Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) Yonekura Hiromasa spoke as a guest at the party convention. When he requested that the LDP pursue full participation in the TPP, boos and jeers arose from the floor.
Leader of the LDP’s previous coalition partner of the Komei Party, Yamaguchi Natsuo, who was another guest speaker, said, “We will join forces with you” for an early snap election.
