September 13, 2019
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 12 held talks with Yamamoto Taro, head of the new political party "Reiwa Shinsengumi", in the Diet building and reached an agreement to work together to form a coalition government of opposition parties.
This was the first meeting held between opposition party leaders after the JCP made a proposal for each opposition party leader to hold talks aimed at starting negotiations toward the creation of a coalition government.
The JCP and the Reiwa party after the meeting called a joint press conference and announced a 3-pillared agreement: cooperation on the realization of a coalition government; opposition to the adverse revision of Article 9 of the Constitution; and opposition to the consumption tax rate increase.
Shii said that the two parties confirmed their willingness to collaborate in making the upcoming general election an election in which the opposition force presents to voters a clear vision for a coalition government based on the 13-point common agenda agreed upon by the opposition parties along with the Civil Alliance ahead of the July Upper House race.
Yamamoto said, "Dialogue among opposition party leaders should immediately start so that the opposition parties can be prepared for a snap election at any time and people can have a concrete idea what our society can be like if a change of government takes place." He added, "I decided to have our party be the first to join in the discussion on the formation of a coalition government of opposition parties."
Regarding the constitutional issue, Shii said, "Prime Minister Abe, after announcing his new, fourth Cabinet, told the press that he will 'definitely accomplish' implementing constitutional amendments. In the meeting with Yamaoto today, we reaffirmed our commitment to resist any change of Article 9 of the Constitution."
The two leaders also agreed to abolish the consumption tax as an eventual goal and also to discuss ways to secure the necessary funds to achieve this.
Past relater articles:
> Shii answers questions about a coalition government initiative [August 28, 2019]
> Shii in 97th anniv. speech calls on pro-constitution forces to hold discussions on coalition government [August 9, 2019]
> Shii: JCP may work together with Reiwa party [July 23, 2019]
This was the first meeting held between opposition party leaders after the JCP made a proposal for each opposition party leader to hold talks aimed at starting negotiations toward the creation of a coalition government.
The JCP and the Reiwa party after the meeting called a joint press conference and announced a 3-pillared agreement: cooperation on the realization of a coalition government; opposition to the adverse revision of Article 9 of the Constitution; and opposition to the consumption tax rate increase.
Shii said that the two parties confirmed their willingness to collaborate in making the upcoming general election an election in which the opposition force presents to voters a clear vision for a coalition government based on the 13-point common agenda agreed upon by the opposition parties along with the Civil Alliance ahead of the July Upper House race.
Yamamoto said, "Dialogue among opposition party leaders should immediately start so that the opposition parties can be prepared for a snap election at any time and people can have a concrete idea what our society can be like if a change of government takes place." He added, "I decided to have our party be the first to join in the discussion on the formation of a coalition government of opposition parties."
Regarding the constitutional issue, Shii said, "Prime Minister Abe, after announcing his new, fourth Cabinet, told the press that he will 'definitely accomplish' implementing constitutional amendments. In the meeting with Yamaoto today, we reaffirmed our commitment to resist any change of Article 9 of the Constitution."
The two leaders also agreed to abolish the consumption tax as an eventual goal and also to discuss ways to secure the necessary funds to achieve this.
Past relater articles:
> Shii answers questions about a coalition government initiative [August 28, 2019]
> Shii in 97th anniv. speech calls on pro-constitution forces to hold discussions on coalition government [August 9, 2019]
> Shii: JCP may work together with Reiwa party [July 23, 2019]
