Shii calls for snap election to seek popular mandate if gov't intends to push through major arms buildup

JCP Chair Shii demanded that if the Kishida government intends to push through a major arms buildup and allow Japan to acquire a counterforce (enemy-strike) capability, it should call a snap election to seek a popular mandate.

Gov't assumes that SDF bases in urban areas would come under attack

The government budget draft includes an allocation for the construction of underground command centers for Self-Defense Forces located in urban areas on Japan’s mainland. JCP Koike asked PM Kishida if the government assumes that SDF bases in urban areas could come under attack.

Why is JCP negative about holding a direct election to choose party leader?

A direct election of a party head is normally accompanied by competition among candidates for increasing their supporters. The reason why the JCP does not adopt this system is that the party prizes organizational unity above everything else.