November 10, 2016
The Japanese Communist, Democratic, Liberal, and Social Democratic parties on November 9 held a secretaries-general meeting in the Diet building and confirmed that they will accelerate talks on electoral cooperation in the next general election.
They also decided to resume the exchange of opinions between the four parties and the Civil Alliance composed of various antiwar civic groups.
JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira cited the Niigata gubernatorial election and Lower House by-elections in October and said that a joint opposition candidate won in the Niigata election as a result of the enthusiastic campaign by all the four parties. Compared to that, he added, in the House of Representatives by-elections in the Tokyo No.10 and Fukuoka No.6 constituencies, the opposition parties’ effort did not turn out to be successful as in Niigata. DP Secretary General Noda Yoshihiko responded by saying, “It was a regrettable result.”
Reflecting on this absence of united opposition efforts, in regard to electoral cooperation in the next general election, Koike proposed that the four parties: hold up common election pledges such as concerning the nuclear energy issue; conduct mutual cooperation and mutual support of candidates; and conclude a positive agreement toward the formation of a coalition government. SDP Secretary General Mataichi Seiji also emphasized the need to make an agreement on policies in common.
DP Noda in reply said, “In preparation for the general election, the DP would like to accelerate discussions on creating ‘as much cooperation as possible’.” He also said, “We would also like to consider the JCP three-point proposal and the SDP’s suggestion.”
Past related articles:
> Civil group lodges protest over DP candidate in Tokyo by-election [October 25, 2016]
> Joint opposition candidates lose Lower House by-elections [October 24, 2016]
> Joint opposition candidate will run in Niigata gubernatorial election focusing on NPP reactivation [September 24 & 25, 2016]
They also decided to resume the exchange of opinions between the four parties and the Civil Alliance composed of various antiwar civic groups.
JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira cited the Niigata gubernatorial election and Lower House by-elections in October and said that a joint opposition candidate won in the Niigata election as a result of the enthusiastic campaign by all the four parties. Compared to that, he added, in the House of Representatives by-elections in the Tokyo No.10 and Fukuoka No.6 constituencies, the opposition parties’ effort did not turn out to be successful as in Niigata. DP Secretary General Noda Yoshihiko responded by saying, “It was a regrettable result.”
Reflecting on this absence of united opposition efforts, in regard to electoral cooperation in the next general election, Koike proposed that the four parties: hold up common election pledges such as concerning the nuclear energy issue; conduct mutual cooperation and mutual support of candidates; and conclude a positive agreement toward the formation of a coalition government. SDP Secretary General Mataichi Seiji also emphasized the need to make an agreement on policies in common.
DP Noda in reply said, “In preparation for the general election, the DP would like to accelerate discussions on creating ‘as much cooperation as possible’.” He also said, “We would also like to consider the JCP three-point proposal and the SDP’s suggestion.”
Past related articles:
> Civil group lodges protest over DP candidate in Tokyo by-election [October 25, 2016]
> Joint opposition candidates lose Lower House by-elections [October 24, 2016]
> Joint opposition candidate will run in Niigata gubernatorial election focusing on NPP reactivation [September 24 & 25, 2016]
